Uma do not pose challenge, says BJP chief

Bhopal, Oct 28 (UNI) BJP President Rajnath Singh today said the party did not face any challenge from expelled leader and Bhartiya Jan Shakti President Ms Uma Bharti and it would win Vidisha Lok Sabha and Malehra Assembly seats, figuring in the October 30 byelections in Madhya Pradesh.

Talking to reporters during a brief stopover here enroute to Vidisha for campaigning, Mr Singh said development remained the main poll plank and the BJP remained committed for it. ''BJP is optimistic of victory at both places'', he said.

When pointed out the backwardness of Vidisha, represented in Lok Sabha by Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan for five terms, the party chief said the Lok Sabha member had certain limitation in carrying out development, but Vidisha's development would pick up since Mr Chouhan was now the chief minister.

Meanwhile, state BJP chief Satyanarayan Jatia said the district administration would probe into Bhartiya Jan Shakti's complaint that the BJP workers had allegedly attempted to damage the helicopter of Ms Bharti in Malehra constituency yesterday.

UNI SD-SP 1440