Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned from the Congress on Tuesday, bringing to a climax the political crisis in Madhya Pradesh that re-emerged on Monday when 17 MLAs loyal to him flew to Bengaluru. The Congress also released a statement announcing the expulsion of Scindia for "anti-party" activities.
Scindia announced his resignation hours after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. There is speculation Scindia may join the BJP on Tuesday or float a new regional outfit in alliance with the BJP, effectively meaning the end of the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh, which had a wafer-thin majority before the crisis began.
Fourteen of the 'rebel' MLAs loyal to Scindia have sent their resignations to the Madhya Pradesh governor and Assembly speaker. The MLAs' resignation means the Kamal Nath government is in a minority, having fewer legislators than the BJP. Media reports claim more Congress MLAs could quit.
In a resignation letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi uploaded on his Twitter handle, Scindia wrote he had been a primary member of the Congress for the last 18 years and it was now time "for me to move on".
Scindia hinted at unease over his relationship with the Congress, noting his decision followed a "path that has been drawing itself out over the last year".
He wrote that his “aim and purpose from the beginning was to serve the people of my state and country and I believe I am unable to do this anymore within this party".
Scindia wrote that to "reflect and realise the aspirations of my people and my workers, it is best to now look ahead at a fresh start".