Jatia feels Raghunandan's step was hasty

Neemuch, MP, Apr 30 (UNI) BJP's Madhya Pradesh unit chief Satyanarayan Jatia has said senior leader Raghunandan Sharma's decision to quit the party and join hands with expelled BJP leader Uma Bharti was a ''hasty move.'' ''It appears that Mr Sharma took the decision to switch to the Uma camp earlier and that is why he is levelling baseless allegations against the BJP,'' he told mediapersons here last evening.

Describing Mr Sharma ''as a bigwig who might have had some expectations and suggestions,'' Mr Jatia pointed out that he only recently assumed his present post and was attempting to properly implement suggestions.

''Therefore, Mr Sharma ought to have waited. However, his exit will not affect the party's chances in this state where it has a tremendously powerful mass base,'' he added.

Dismissing allegations by NGOs on inadequate resettlement of Sardar Sarovar Project oustees, Mr Jatia said the bodies were needlessly finding fault and would gain nothing by the exercise.

UNI XC-AC KD KN1441