Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijay Singh has appealed to the voters of those 22 constituencies where by-election is scheduled along with two others, to vote against traitors (Jyotiraditya Scindia supporters).
While talking to media persons through video conferencing, Singh said that it is the fight to save the democracy. They (Scindia supporters) have betrayed their own party by selling themselves to the BJP. They should be taught a lesson in the by-polls.
He told that in the anti-defection law introduced by the then Prime Minister Rahul Gandhi, there was a provision that those crossing floor cannot contest election for six years. "I do not remember, how this provision was removed from the law.
But this should be included in the law once again. In its absence, this is mockery of the democracy that after crossing floor the members again become a minister in new government," he added.
Replying to a query, whether those coming to Congress from BJP would be given tickets in the by-elections, he said that he was against ticket to only Chowdhary Rakesh Singh, who had quit Congress party when he was deputy leader of opposition in the State assembly. Moreover, his decision to quit the party came, when the House was discussing 'No Confidence Motion', against the BJP government.
Regarding his relations with former chief minister and PCC Chief Kamal Nath, Singh said that people have misconception that he was not in good terms with Nath. "We have regular talks over issues, at least once in a week," he said, adding that he shares relationship of a friend and a brother to Nath for past 40 years. People tried to bring differences with him, but could not succeed, he added.
Singh told that in past two months he has given a number of suggestions to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh, but he did not even acknowledge to his letters. He criticized the Central government for lockdown without preparations.
He stated that the decision should have been taken after discussions with chief ministers of different States.
The only way to deal with situation arose due to Coronavirus, only through decentralization of powers. Right from beginning, containment areas should have been only on police station precincts basis.