Our MLAs not for sale, MP government will last full term says CM Kamal Nath

A day after the fall of the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday challenged the BJP-led opposition to try and buy out the ruling party legislators in his state.

Responding to Opposition leader Gopal Bhargava's boast that "we can bring down the government the moment Central leadership gives a go ahead," Nath asked why the opposition did not hold a vote right away.

Nath said the BJP has been making such claims right from the day his government took office. "Let me make it clear the Opposition's claims are bogus and our MLAs are not for sale."

He said his government is here for five years and "Madhya Pradesh will create history by setting up new benchmarks of development bringing prosperity to every class."

"I want to call the bluff of the opposition BJP here and now," the Chief Minister said.

"Instead of this everyday clamour of keeping the minority government at its mercy the opposition should hold a no-trust vote right away. We are prepared for it, here and now. Is the Opposition ready?" he asked.

Nath said: "I have maintained certain propriety in my political life and tried to set an example. No one has raised questions or made any allegations throughout my political life of 45 years."

He said: "I have been an MP for 40 years and was a minister of several departments at the Centre. I have always tried to keep my political life clean."

"As a minister, I have always protected the interests of people of Madhya Pradesh." He said that as Union Minister of Commerce earlier, he took care of the interests of farmers in the WTO and did not compromise.

"I do not resort to television and media politics. I do not have the passion to show my face and print photos. If any section of the state is in crisis, then I try to resolve the issue immediately and bring relief. This I believe is true sensitivity to the people."