11:20 April 13
SC quashes Congress appeal on Madhya Pradesh govt formation
New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Monday passed judgement in Madhya Pradesh government formation case affirming governor's decision to call for a floor test.
According to reports, the court observed that governor was right in ordering floor test and quashed Congress leader and advocate Dr. Abhishek Singhvi's argument that governor cannot pass such an order.
"In a sitting house there are two modalities, no confidence motion or floor test. There has been no judgment since the SR Bommai case on why floor test is necessary. In Bommai the governor has exercised power under Article 356," the apex court observed.
Read:Lockdown was delayed to pull down Congress govt in MP: Kamal Nath
Former CM Kamal Nath and Governor Lalji Tandon were locked in a "letter war" since the governor directed the then chief minister to hold a floor test after Congress lost support of several legislators owing to the switch to BJP by Jyotiraditya Scindia.
The floor test, which eventually led to the ouster of Congress-led government in the state, didn't take place as the Assembly was adjourned by the Speaker on concerns over the coronavirus.