Clarion India
NEW DELHI — Shortly after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, intensifying speculation that he will join the BJP ahead of Rajya Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the rebel Congress leader, announced his resignation from Congress’ primary membership using his Twitter handle.
The resignation letter which Scindia sent to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Congress’ interim chief, has intensified speculation that he will join the BJP ahead of Rajya Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh, and help the saffron party topple the state government.
In the Twitter message to Congress chief, Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote, “…as you well know, this is a path that has been drawing itself out over the last year.”
“While my aim and purpose remain the same as it has always been from the very beginning, to serve the people of my state and country, I believe I am unable to do this anymore within this party.”
What’s interesting however is that the resignation is dated March 9, suggesting the decision was taken a day earlier.
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) March 10, 2020
The Congress appeared to scramble to control the narrative. Within minutes, KC Venugopal said Sonia Gandhi has expelled Jyotiraditya Scindia “with immediate effect for anti-party activities”, according to media reports.
The crisis for Congress does not end with Scindia, at least 19 Congress MLAs close to Scindia have submitted their resignations to the Speaker N.P. Prajapati. They have resigned from the primary membership of the Congress.
Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s government will have a tough time in the assembly with a slim majority as a large-scale defection won’t bode well for him.
