Vijaypur MLA Mukesh Malhotra Saved by Supreme Court Stay on HC Verdict

Madhya Pradesh Congress received a timely boost when the Supreme Court intervened in the Vijaypur MLA saga, putting on hold the Gwalior High Court’s declaration nullifying Mukesh Malhotra’s election. Malhotra stays in office as the fight continues.

Rawat’s challenge followed his bypoll loss to Malhotra in Sheopur’s Vijaypur. Accusations of omitting criminal records from the affidavit prompted the High Court to overturn results, seating Rawat instead.

In a swift apex court move Thursday, the stay was granted on Malhotra’s plea, albeit with restrictions—no Rajya Sabha voting rights and suspended allowances.

Core issues: Alleged concealment of cases, countered by Malhotra’s acquittal claims. The High Court prioritized transparency, ruling non-disclosure fatal to his candidature.

Congress state head Jitu Patwari framed the outcome as democracy’s win. ‘BJP’s political plots foiled again by the Supreme Court. They must heed this lesson on subverting mandates,’ he asserted.

The episode spotlights recurring election petition battles in MP, where affidavit scrutiny often decides fates. With the stay in place, Malhotra maintains status quo, buying time for merits hearing.

Political analysts see this as Congress stabilizing its numbers, while BJP eyes full reversal. Vijaypur remains a flashpoint in the state’s power chessboard.