Uma's party supports BJP in Kota bypoll

Raipur, Nov 27 (UNI) Uma Bharti-led Bharatiya Jan Shakti has extended its support to BJP candidate in the assembly by-election in Kota constituency in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh.

BJS Chhattisgarh unit President Keshav Singh Thakur told UNI here that his party would support BJP candidate Bhupendra Singh Thakur in the bypoll scheduled for December four.

''We have no sympathy towards BJP. But this decision is necessary to defeat Congress candidate Mrs Renu Jogi, wife of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi'', he added.

Mr Thakur alleged that the victory of Mrs Jogi, a Christian, would only result in religious conversions getting further boost, particularly in the tribal areas.

''We are aware that BJP is bad. But Congress is worse,'' he said but did not agree with the perception that his party's decision to support BJP in Kota bypoll was a step towards merging with the parent organisation.

Ms Bharti, a former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, had floated BJS after her expulsion from BJP for questioning the manner in which Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan was elected leader of BJP legislature party in November end last year.

The BJS fielded its candidates against BJP and others in the recent byelections in Vidisha Lok Sabha and Malehra Assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh and BJP candidates were elected at both places.

UNI AS/JJ SP PK DS1502