The Congress on Friday said democracy has been defeated by 'hotel diplomacy' in Madhya Pradesh, after Kamal Nath resigned as the state chief minister.

Over 15 months after taking over, Nath resigned from the top post. The resignation came a day after the Supreme Court ordered the state Assembly Speaker to conduct a floor test by 5pm on Friday.

'Today democracy (was) defeated by hotel diplomacy,' Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said on Twitter.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the state has witnessed blatant killing of democracy in broad daylight.

'What we have witnessed today in #MadhyaPradesh is a blatant killing of democracy in broad day light. Dismantling the democratically elected government for the lust of power has become a habit for the BJP,' he said on Twitter.

Congress general secretary Avinash Pande said, 'CM Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath resigns, and along with it dies the concept of democracy and elections.'