Bhopal/Jabalpur: Congress MLA from Bina, Nirmala Sapre, who had pledged allegiance to the BJP in 2023 ahead of the 2024 general elections, on Thursday informed the court that she remains a member of the Congress party and will continue with the Grand Old Party. She made this statement in response to a petition filed by Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, seeking her disqualification from the state assembly on grounds that she had joined the BJP.
Court Proceedings
Taking note of the statement provided on behalf of Nirmala Sapre, the bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Pradeep Mittal reserved its judgment on the petition.
Sapre, a first-time legislator, won the assembly election from Bina on a Congress ticket in 2023. However, six months later, during the Lok Sabha campaign, she was seen on a BJP stage in Rahatgarh on May 5, 2024. She announced her decision to join the BJP and was welcomed on the dais in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Despite this, Sapre has not been granted primary membership in the BJP, while the Congress has taken legal action against her for defection.
Petition Details
In his petition, Singhar argued that Sapre had joined the BJP before the 2024 general election, yet more than two years later, the Speaker of the state assembly has not made any decision regarding her disqualification from the House under the anti-defection law. He contended that after her public announcement of joining the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections, she should have resigned from the Congress party and her membership in the state assembly. “Her continued presence in the state assembly as a member is unlawful, and her membership should be declared null and void,” he pleaded.
Sapre's Stance
On a recent occasion, when questioned about her status, Sapre replied, “I did not take the matter to court. LOP Singhar went to court. I will go with the party that invites me. I want Singhar to make Bina a district and provide Rs 300 crores for development work. Whoever makes Bina a district, I will go with them.” However, there was no response to her proposal, leaving her in a precarious position.
The BJP has refused to accept her, and the Congress no longer wants her after her disloyalty to the party.
