Expressing displeasure over words hurled at him by senior Congress leaders over the delay in clearing of the Amendment Bill, Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon here on Tuesday cleared the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities Amendment Bill 2019.
The approval however clears the way for indirect polls of mayors and municipality chairperosns in Madhya Pradesh. The civic polls are due in MP ahead on December.
In a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan, the Governor Lalji Tandon said that the Chief Minister Kamal Nath had met him briefing him about various aspects and aims of the said amendment.
Tandon said that chief minister had claimed that those who tried to pressurize him against the dignity of Raj Bhavan and tried to convert the issue into a public debate, were their personal opinions and the state government had nothing to do with them.
It's important to note that after the Governor took extra days in clearing the amendment, Rajyasabha MP Vivek Tankha had taken to Twitter to advise the Governor that he should clear the amendment claiming that the Governor acts on the recommendation of the cabinet which is called the Raj Dharm.
Apparently the Governor wasn't too pleased about the unsolicited advice from the senior Congress leader. The matter turned more contentious after forest minister Umang Singhar to had backed Tankha's views also advising the Governor to clear the amendment immediately.
On Monday, former Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia too had jumped into the debate and had advised the Governor to clear the amendment. The senior Congress leaders had resorted to advice giving spree after the Governor had cleared one amendment provisioning criminal liability for corporators in case they suppress information in their election affidavit while Tandon had withheld the second amendment paving the way for indirect election of mayors Civic body chiefs.
Sensing the seriousness of the situation, Chief Minister Kamal Nath had on Monday flung into action for damage control. He called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Monday evening and had detailed discussion on said amendment. The Governor in the statement issued on Tuesday claimed that on the basis of details offered by the Chief Minister, he has decided to assign his approval.
