In yet another blow to Congress party in Madhya Pradesh, its another MLA, Rahul Lodhi from Damoh, resigned from the Assembly on Sunday, further denting the already depleted party in the State.
With his resignation, the effective strength of the party has reduced to 87 in Madhya Pradesh Assembly. Lodhi was said to be in touch with the BJP leadership for long. He finally handed his resignation letter to MP Assembly protem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma on Sunday.
Three Independent MLAs — Surendra Singh Shera, Pradip Jaiswal and Rana Vikram Singh had already extended support to Shivraj Government, while the fourth one, Kedar Davar had announced his support to the BJP Government days ago. Suspecting defection form Lodhi, Kamal Nath had met him in the past.
Lodhi is the cousin of ex-MLA Pradyumn Lodhi who had resigned from the Congress and is in the contention for the Bada Malhera seat. This is Congress fourth setback since July. Lodhi joined BJP in the presence of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
State BJP Chief VD Sharma in Bhopal was present on Sunday.
Welcoming Lodhi in the BJP, Chouhan accused Kamal Nath of running a one man show in Congress party and advised him to introspect why the Congress party was going from bad to worse. Alleging that Congress leaders have been calling him names, Chouhan asked Congress to talk about development.Lodhi after joining the party affirmed he wishes that the BJP wins all the 28 seats in the state.CM Chouhan asked was the BJP apprehensive of dismal show in bypolls was including Congress MLA in BJP, claimed that if an able worker wished to be included in BJP, our party decided him to let him do so.MP Congress in a tweet put up a brave face saying the BJP by ‘buying’ another Congress MLA proved that the ruling party wasn’t winning a single seat in MP bypolls.In present scenario the BJP will need seven wins to reach to the majority mark of 115 in MP assembly while the Congress will need to win all the 28 seats to reclaim majority.