BJP might form a government in MP
Congress legislators resign
Government formation as seen in Karnataka
In love and war, all is fair — and politics too is no stranger to this list. Agreements can take place at unexpected times, as seen recently in Madhya Pradesh. Scion of a royal family, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who began his career witnessing Congress politics firsthand, has now chosen a different path.
The shift by Scindia isn't just about finding a new position; he has paved the way for 22 Congress legislators to resign, leaving the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh on the brink of collapse. It is speculated that more Congress legislators may be in touch with the BJP, paving the way for the BJP's potential return to power in MP.
For BJP, this scenario isn't unprecedented. Post-2014, the saffron wave painted the political map of the country, rendering Congress and other opposition parties nearly invisible. At one point, BJP and its allies had governments in 21 states. Yet, reaching this milestone wasn't without strategic maneuvers, including welcoming leaders and legislators from Congress and other parties with open arms.
BJP's 'Operation Government'
The first notable instance of BJP's 'Operation Government' was in Goa in 2017. Despite no party securing a clear majority in the 40-seat assembly — Congress won 17, and BJP 13 — then BJP president Amit Shah expressed confidence in forming a government there during a press conference celebrating wins in UP, Uttarakhand, and Manipur. Eventually, BJP managed to form a government with the support of smaller parties and independents, sidelining Congress.
In Goa, BJP built a government with victorious legislators from other parties; meanwhile, in Uttarakhand and Manipur, BJP weakened the opposition by welcoming significant Congress figures like Yashpal Singh Arya, Vijay Bahuguna, and Harak Singh Rawat. This strategy disrupted Congress' strength, leaving Harish Rawat unable to bring Congress back to power.
In Manipur, notable Congress leader Biren Singh resigned from Congress in October 2016 and joined BJP. His influence benefited BJP during elections, leading to a historic government formation under his leadership. Similarly surprising was the 2016 Arunachal Pradesh case, where CM Pema Khandu, along with 33 out of 43 PPA legislators, joined BJP, altering the government's dynamics.
The largest operation in Karnataka
In May 2018, Karnataka election resulted in a significant lead for BJP (winning 104 seats), although not enough for a majority. Congress followed with 78 seats, JD(S) with 40. B. S. Yediyurappa took oath as CM but lost the floor test.
Subsequently, Congress formed a government with JD(S), appointing HD Kumaraswamy as CM, but it didn't last long. By July 2019, the government fell due to resignations from 17 Congress and JD(S) legislators. BJP later established a government led by B. S. Yediyurappa.
Currently, a similar picture is emerging in Madhya Pradesh. With 22 Congress legislators resigned, Kamal Nath's government appears to teeter towards a minority. BJP is poised for governance, and if successful, it would be another demonstration of BJP's strategic prowess to establish itself in state governance despite fewer legislators.
