Divisions inside the Congress over the Centre’s decision to scrap Article 370, which gave Jammu and Kashmir special status, spread to Madhya Pradesh, where several party leaders in Bhopal and elsewhere spoke in favour of the move.

Leaders who backed the move

State Finance Minister Tarun Bhanot, a loyalist of Chief Minister Kamal Nath, said national questions should be approached above party politics. He argued that conditions 75 years ago were different, that earlier leaders had done what they thought right to keep Kashmir with India, and that a decision fit to be welcomed today should be welcomed across party lines.

Chachora MLA Laxman Singh, brother of senior leader Digvijaya Singh, also supported it, telling reporters in Guna that rising militancy had forced the Centre’s hand. He suggested Jawaharlal Nehru might not have introduced Article 370 had he foreseen terrorism in the region.

Earlier in the week, Jyotiraditya Scindia had backed the decision, saying it would have been better had constitutional process been followed, but that “this is in our country’s interest”. State Health Minister Tulsiram Silawat, a Scindia loyalist, later said Scindia always spoke with sincerity.

The dissenting view

Digvijaya Singh opposed the step, calling the division of the state without the consent of its people undemocratic, unconstitutional and against federalism, and warning that the coming six months would be crucial.

A BJP MLA’s praise

On Wednesday, BJP MLA from Maihar Narayan Tripathi, who had recently voted with the Kamal Nath government on an amendment bill in the assembly, praised Home Minister Amit Shah on Twitter, calling the decision a historic step. The post set off fresh speculation that he might switch sides again.

See also: Indian National Congress and state assembly members.

Originally published on 9 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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