(With inputs from agencies)

MP political crisis:SC issues notice to govt, Speaker

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a 24-hour notice to the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh on a petition filed by ex-CM Shivraj Chouhan seeking floor test in the state legislative assembly immediately.A bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta said in view of the urgency of the case, notice is required to be answered by the Kamal Nath government by Wednesday 10.30 am.Sixteen Congress MLAs, who have tendered their resignation, also moved an application seeking to be a party to the petition and told the court that they are in no way under any pressure as claimed by the Kamal Nath government.Earlier today, rebel Congress MLA Govind Singh Rajput, in a press conference, stated that Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath doesn't even give 15 minutes to legislators for discussing issues related to their constituencies. He also claimed that the group of rebel legislators was not being held captive.On Monday, Chouhan had sought urgent direction from the apex court to the Speaker to conduct a floor test as the latter had postponed it to March 26.The BJP on Monday approached the Supreme Court seeking a floor test in the Madhya Pradesh assembly amid the ongoing political crisis in the state, which was sparked off by the exit of Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia The petitioners said that they are approaching the apex court as the respondents, Speaker and Madhya Pradesh chief minister, have violated the constitutional principles and have deliberately and willfully defied the directions issued by the Governor on March 14, requiring the Chief Minister to prove his majority on the floor of Madhya Pradesh legislative assembly.