Congress legislators Narayan Tripathi and Dinesh Ahirwar have sought time from the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat to reply to a notice over tendering resignation from their Assembly membership under the anti-defection law. The leaders were issued the notice in view of their quitting the party and joining the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Madhya Pradesh.
Tripathi, who represents Maihar in the State Assembly, told that he met Principal Secretary (Vidhan Sabha) Bhagwandas Israni on Thursday and sought time for a month to reply to the notice.
He claimed he had neither left the Congress nor joined the BJP. He said he met Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for development of his region. His meeting with senior BJP leader Arvid Menon should be viewed in context with the fact that he has close relations with him.
On the other hand, Ahirwar, a legislator from Jatara in Tikamgarh, admitted that he had joined the BJP and was ready to face the consequences. However, he had sought time to reply after consultation with legal experts.
Meanwhile, leader of Opposition Satyadev Katare stated the State knows both had quit the Congress and had been engaged in anti-party activities. He claimed both leaders should resign on morality grounds.