Dr Shejwar suspended from BJP

Bhopal, Oct 28 (UNI) Former Madhya Pradesh Minister Dr Gauri Shankar Shejwar, a close confidant of expelled BJP leader Ms Uma Bharti, was today suspended from the party for alleged indiscipline and anti-party activities.

State BJP President Satyanarayan Jatia made an announcement in this regard before reporters at the Bhopal airport in the presence of party chief Rajnath Singh, who arrived to join the campaigning for byelections.

Mr Jatia said Dr Shejwar, who was seen welcoming Ms Bharti, would be issued a show cause notice. ''The party would go by its constitution before expelling any erring worker,'' he said.

Dr Shejwar, a Scheduled Caste, was leader of the opposition in the Assembly when BJP was in the opposition during the rule of Mr Digvijay Singh.

Welcoming his expulsion from BJP, Dr Shejwar said it would have been better if the action was taken much earlier. ''BJP lacked internal democracy and dissenting voice was being crushed,'' he said.

Talking to reporters at Raisen, Dr Shejwar said Ms Bharti was being welcomed across the state and he would side with those who were meted out injustice.

Dr Shejwar, who had reportedly garlanded Ms Bharti and attended Bhartiya Jan Shakti workers meeting at Raisen two days ago, did not specify whether he would formally join BJS.

Meanwhile, Mr Rajnath Singh declined to comment when asked if the BJP was facing any threat from Ms Uma Bharti, who had floated BJS after her expulsion from BJP.

UNI Team-SP PA DS1430