Former Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti Challenges Conviction in Delhi High Court
Days after his disqualification from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly following a conviction and three-year suspended sentence in a bank fraud case, former Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti has approached the Delhi High Court. He is challenging the verdict delivered by the Rouse Avenue Court, which led to his removal from the legislative body.
BJP Initiates Preparations for Datia Bypoll
While the Congress mounts a legal challenge against Bharti's disqualification, the Bharatiya Janata Party has swiftly begun preparations for a bypoll to fill the now-vacant Datia Assembly seat. BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal visited the residence of former state home minister Narottam Mishra, who was the party's candidate in the 2023 Assembly elections but lost to Bharti by a margin of 7,742 votes.
The seat was declared vacant after the Assembly secretariat issued a late-night order disqualifying Bharti, a move that followed his conviction. Amid questions regarding the timing of this order, Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar clarified that the disqualification was issued after he was informed of Bharti's conviction by an individual identified as "Mr Gautam".
According to sources within the BJP, Khandelwal and Mishra also held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday to strategize for the upcoming electoral contest.
Congress Grapples with Rajya Sabha Election Concerns
This development has sparked significant concerns within the Congress party, particularly ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha elections. Bharti's disqualification reduces the party's strength in the Assembly to 63 members, down from its previous count.
Compounding the party's worries further, two of its remaining 63 members face uncertainties:
- Mukesh Malhotra, the Vijaypur MLA, who lost his right to vote in the Rajya Sabha election following a Supreme Court order.
- Bina MLA Nirmala Sapre, whose defection case is currently under adjudication by the High Court.
With a minimum of 58 assembly votes required to secure a seat in the Upper House, the Congress's effective strength of 61 members should theoretically be sufficient to clinch the lone Rajya Sabha seat for its candidate. However, the party harbors fears of potential cross-voting by a section of its disgruntled MLAs, which could jeopardize their electoral calculations.
Political Leaders Weigh In on the Situation
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar expressed his views to TOI, stating, "The BJP has a history of bringing down elected governments through money power and weakening democratic values."
In response, BJP state spokesperson Ashish Agarwal remarked, "The Congress should introspect why its elected leaders or candidates are embroiled in criminal cases. We are ready to tackle any situation."
Unless overturned by the High Court, a bypoll for the Datia Assembly seat will be required within six months, setting the stage for a significant political battle in Madhya Pradesh.
