Uma to float party to claim lotus symbol

Neemuch (MP), Feb 24 (UNI) Expelled BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti has said she would form a party on April 30 and also demand the Election Commission of India (ECI) allot the lotus as her election symbol.

''If the ECI rejects the demand, an alternative will be sought,'' the firebrand sadhvi, who is undertaking a Janadesh Yatra, told mediapersons last night after addressing a mammoth rally here.

Pointing out that, in principle, her organisation would be the ''real BJP,'' she added it was her desire that the BJP office be handed over to her outfit.

''However, if that fails to happen, we will construct an office building. It's not a crucial issue,'' Ms Bharti added.

She claimed she had the support of so many BJP MLAs that she could topple Shivraj Singh Chouhan government but did not wish to place the heavy financial burden of a mid-term poll on the exchequer.

We will vanquish the Congress and the BJP in the 2008 election,'' she said.

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