Confusion still prevails whether election would take place for the coveted post of State Assembly Speaker. However, 120 legislators appeared in the meeting of Congress legislators convened at the bungalow of Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Sunday.
It was believed that division of votes would take place in the State Assembly if election takes place for the post of Speaker. But with the presence of 120 legislators in the meeting clearly indicated that the government is quite safe and if election takes place, the Congress nominee NP Prajapati would emerged victorious.
State BJP President Rakesh Singh has already indicated that election might take place for the post of Speaker.
Going with the present situation in the House, there are 114 member of Congress, 109 of BJP, two of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), one from Samajwadi party (SP) and four Independents. The Congress has formed government with the support of BSP, SP and all the independents.
For past two days, the Congress has been alleging that the BJP had been attempting horse-trading.
The Congress will have to face its first floor test to get a Speaker elected during the five-day assembly session commencing from Monday.
Sports and Higher Education Minister Jitu Patwari told ‘The Pioneer that it is the habit of the BJP to play destructive politics but it will not succeed this time. Its leaders have talked to several of Congress members.
BJP Spokesman Rajneesh Agrawal, however, denied the allegations, stating, “If we wanted to form a government, we would have done this on the day of the election results.”
The session will begin with MLAs being administered oath on January 7 and 8, an Assembly Secretariat official informed earlier.
The Speaker will be elected on January 8 and the MP Governor will address the House on the same day, the official added.