Uma Bharti's party hopes to emerge as third force in Punjab

Jalandhar, Feb 7 (UNI) Bharatiya Jan Shakti president Uma Bharti today claimed her party would emerge as a third political force in Punjab in the next four years after the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

Talking to reporters here, Ms Bharti said the BJS was contesting the February 13 assembly elections in Punjab with all seriouness.

On the Ram Mandir issue, she reiterated her party's resolve and commitment for construction of a Ram Temple at the Janmbhoomi in Ayodhya while accusing the BJP of cheating the people over this issue.

The BJP base had now been eroded as it had moved away from its basic issues, principles, culture and ideology, she added.

''The BJP was now emerging as a poor and ugly edition of the Congress,'' she added.

Ms Bharti was in the town to campaign for her party nominees for the assembly elections if the state. The party is contesting 19 of the total 117 assembly seats in Punjab.

UNI