MLA’s disqualification in Madhya Pradesh brings Rajya Sabha math in focus

The disqualification of Congress MLA Rajesh Bharti in Madhya Pradesh has opened a fresh flashpoint between BJP and Congress. Bharti was convicted by a Delhi court in a cheating case and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. Following the April 2 order, the state Assembly issued a late-night notification disqualifying him..

However, the court granted Bharti 60 days to appeal before a higher court. MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari sais, “the court has given him 60 days to appeal, yet the secretariat was opened at night to issue the disqualification. We have also sought action against one of our MLAs working against the party, but no decision has been taken,” he said.

Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar maintained that the process followed due procedure and that further steps would be guided by court orders.

The development has implications for the Rajya Sabha elections in June, where three seats from MP will fall vacant. While BJP holds two seats and Congress one, the latter is working with a tight margin. Congress MLA Mukesh Malhotra is unable to vote due to a court order, and Nirmala Sapre is seen as unlikely to back the party. If Bharti fails to secure relief in time, he too will be unable to vote. Though the Congress still has an edge, the party fears potential cross-voting could tilt the balance in favour of the BJP in the contest for the third seat.