BJP MLAs Sanjay Pathak, Vishwas Sarang accused of Madhya Pradesh coup plan claim threat to their lives

The existing political crisis in the state of Madhya Pradesh has extended to BJP MLAs Sanjay Pathak and Vishwas Sarang claiming a threat to their lives following the removal of security office given to them by the Congress government.

"On Thursday night while I was traveling home from Bhopal airport vehicles driven by cops and some other men began following mine. They tried to stop my car at a dark spot. However, my driver managed to get me home safely," Sanjay Pathak told.

"I'm a four-time MLA and personal security officer (PSO) allotted since 20 years has been changed. There is serious threat of my life, I may be abducted or killed, if I don't join the Congress," he alleged.

Sanjay Pathak also denied having met Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who has a thin majority after 10 MLAs were allegedly taken away by the BJP in a bid to overthrow the government.

Pathak also refused having talked to Kamal Nath over the phone. Vishwas Sarang also made similar allegations.

“MY PSO has been changed just to spy on me. I won't take the new PSO. Plain-clothes cops are keeping an eye on people visiting my office and not allowing many to come to my office. There is serious threat to my life and I could be murdered or even lynched by mob," he claimed.

Both Pathak and Sarang are among those accused by Digvijay Singh of attempting to overthrow the 15-month-old government.

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, who led a rescue operation to bring back MLAs, also accused the BJP of offering up to Rs 35 crore to gain support.

"I have never made any allegations (but) Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Narottam Mishra both had a dispute over who will become chief minister. Now it has been decided one will be chief minister, other the deputy," he said, adding, "This would not be tolerated".

According to sources, BJP leaders Narottam Mishra and Shivraj Singh Chouhan may also have been involved.

In the meantime, Hardeep Dang, one of the four missing Congress MLAs has sent his resignation letter.

The Congress government in the state has 120 MLAs—four above the majority mark of 116 in the 230 member Assembly. Out of these, 114 are from Congress, 2 from the BSP, one from the Samajwadi Party and 4 are independent. The BJP has 107 MLAs and two seats are currently unfilled.

If the three other missing MLAs resign, it will lower the strength of the assembly to 224 and the majority mark to 113.

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