Uma demands CBI inquiry into violence during Malehra bypoll

Bhopal, Nov 24 (UNI) Bharatiya Jan Shakti President Uma Bharti today demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged violent incidents that took place during the October 30 Malehra assembly by-elections and said she would move the court in this regard.

''The BJS will take recourse to the court so that true facts could be known,'' Ms Bharti told reporters here, adding that incidents were a ''black chapter in politics''.

She said arm-twisting of this kind for vested political motives symbolised degradation and deterioration in politics.

Regarding submitting a memorandum to Governor Balram Jakhar in this regard and the Raj-bhawan ordering a CID inquiry into the case, the former Chief Minister alleged that the CID inquiry was not ''progressing because of involvement of certain high-ups.'' She alleged that false cases had been registered against her and some other BJS leaders at the behest of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan.

The government had failed to collect evidence to substantiate charges against her, she claimed.

Ms Bharti said the police was shadowing her in a bid to collect evidence against her but the attempts proved futile.

Following a clash between BJP and BJS workers during the Malehra by-poll, both sides had lodged complaints against each other.

BJP candidate Kapoor Chand Ghuwara won the by-election by a margin of over 4,000 votes over his nearest BJS rival Rekha Yadav.

The by-election was necessitated due to resignation of Ms Bharti after she formed her party following her expulsion from the BJP.

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