Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Hears Defection Case of Congress MLA Nirmala Sapre
In a significant political development just six days before the commencement of the state budget session, Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar convened a crucial meeting with Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar on Tuesday. The primary agenda was to deliberate upon the contentious case concerning Congress MLA from Bina assembly constituency, Nirmala Sapre, and her alleged defection from the party to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Congress Demands Annulment of MLA Membership
The Congress party has formally demanded the annulment of Nirmala Sapre's membership from the legislative assembly following her public defection to the BJP on May 5, 2024, during the intense campaigning period of the Lok Sabha elections. Despite her visible alignment with the BJP, including frequent visits to the party office and active participation in their campaigns, the BJP has notably refrained from officially granting her party membership. This technicality has allowed her to continue holding her position as a Congress MLA, with no immediate disciplinary action initiated against her.
Legal Proceedings and Supreme Court Directives
Frustrated by the lack of action, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar escalated the matter by filing a petition before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The case was heard by a distinguished double bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf. During the proceedings, the state government informed the court that the issue is currently pending before the Speaker, and appropriate action will be taken in due course.
Following his meeting with Speaker Tomar, Singhar addressed the media, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "The Supreme Court has explicitly directed the state assembly to report on the actions taken regarding this matter," Singhar stated. "The assembly's response indicated that proceedings are underway. However, it is crucial to note that several Supreme Court rulings mandate that such decisions must be concluded within a strict 90-day timeframe. Consequently, the Speaker is now actively summoning all relevant parties to hear their perspectives."
Evidence Presented and Political Strategy Allegations
Singhar further revealed that comprehensive evidence has been submitted to the Speaker, detailing how Nirmala Sapre formally joined the BJP on a public dais during the Lok Sabha elections. "We have provided irrefutable proof of her defection," he asserted, expressing optimism that decisive action against Sapre will be forthcoming soon.
The Leader of Opposition also leveled serious allegations against the BJP, accusing them of employing a calculated political strategy. "The BJP's tactic is clear: they refrain from granting official membership to rival party MLAs while simultaneously claiming their allegiance," Singhar alleged. He speculated that the BJP's reluctance stems from fears of losing the Bina seat in a potential by-election. "The BJP is apprehensive about facing a bypoll in Bina, as they are well aware that the Congress would likely reclaim the seat. I am hopeful that the Speaker will impartially listen to all stakeholders and render an appropriate verdict within the next seven to eight days."
Background of the Defection and Comparative Cases
Nirmala Sapre, a first-time MLA, was one of three Congress legislators who defected to the BJP during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The other two defectors were Kamlesh Shah from the Amarwara seat in Chhindwara and Ram Niwas Rawat from the Vijaypur assembly segment. In contrast to Sapre's situation, both Shah and Rawat were promptly granted BJP membership, leading to by-elections in their respective constituencies.
Sapre's political journey adds complexity to the case. She contested and won the 2023 assembly election from the Bina SC reserved constituency on a Congress ticket. However, in a dramatic turn of events in May 2024, she abandoned the Congress campaign and publicly joined the BJP at a rally in Rahatgarh, attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Subsequently, she actively campaigned for the BJP's candidate in the Sagar Lok Sabha constituency, further solidifying her alignment with the party.
As the budget session approaches, all eyes are on Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, whose decision in this high-profile defection case could have significant ramifications for Madhya Pradesh's political landscape and set a precedent for handling similar controversies in the future.
