Uma factor failed to make any dent in vote bank: BJP

New Delhi, Nov 6 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party today asserted that its victory in bypolls in Madhya Pradesh had established that expelled BJP leader and former Chief Minister Uma Bharti had failed to make an impact on the party's vote bank in the state.

"We don't subscribe to the view that Ms Uma Bharti's Bharatiya Janshakti Party has cut into BJP's votes," BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said when his attention was drawn to the editorial in RSS-mouthpiece 'Panchajanya' which advised against division of votes among parties of Hindutva ideology and asking such groups to come together.

"Panchjanya is free to express its views, we don't subscribe that Uma Bharati in any way made any impact, whatsoever, on the BJP's vote bank," Mr Javadekar said.

Moreover, the defeat of Ms Bharati's candidates in Vidisha Parliamentary constituency and Bada Malhera assembly constituency would send a message that the sangathana (organisation) is supreme, not an individual. "We are sure she will not be able to garner even this much support in future elections," he added.

Party President Rajnath Singh, reacting on results, merely said that the BJP had won both Vidisha and Bada Malhera seats, with good margins. "I leave on you to reach any conclusion how Ms Bharti's Bharatiya Janashakti Party has lost the election," he added.

UNI KAS RP ND1710