Short of simple majority, but MP govt stable
BHOPAL: Chief minister Kamal Nath-led Congress government completed its first year in office in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday even as the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hoped its days would be numbered in the absence of a clear majority in the state assembly.
In the 230-member House, the Congress, with 115 seats, is a seat short of the simple majority. The government has the backing of two members of the Bahujan Samaj Party, one Samajwadi Party lawmaker, and four Independent legislators. The BJP (108) is just eight seats short of the majority mark.
The problems for the Nath government began soon after it was formed in December last year. Income Tax department conducted raids on the premises of Praveen Kakkar, an officer on special duty in the chief minisernment ter’s office, and Nath’s political adviser, RK Miglani, in April.
BJP leaders have since the beginning been predicting the demise of the government.
The Madhya Pradesh government has also faced problems from within. Forest minister Umang Singhar wrote to Congress president Sonia Gandhi in September to urge her to stop former chief minister Digvijaya
Singh from interfering in the governance. He claimed that Digvijaya Singh was running the government.
Experts say the Congress government’s biggest achievement in this backdrop is that it has been able to complete one year in office. “From a state of apprehension and uncertainty to a state of certainty, this is the biggest achievement of the Congress govin general and chief minister Kamal Nath in particular,” said political analyst Girija Shankar.
Waiving farm loans, creating employment avenues, curbing corruption, checking crimes, particularly those against women and children, and providing better education and health facilities were the major challenges for the government.
BJP leader Vijesh Lunawat said that the government has done nothing except transferring officials.
“[There have been] more than 40,000 transfers and postings,” he said.
Madhya Pradesh minister Brajendra Singh Rathore said that the government was doing its best despite facing a funds crunch. “The central government has withheld ~12,000 to ~15,000 crore that the state is to get from it as its share in taxes and central funds. The previous BJP government left empty coffers.”