Uma urged to contest Khargone by-poll

Bhopal, July 13 (UNI) Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) Madhya Pradesh President Raghunandan Sharma today urged the party's Founder-President and former Chief Minister Uma Bharti to enter the poll fray in Khargone Lok Sabha constituency where a by-election is on the cards after the disqualification of BJP leader Krishnamurari Moghe for occupying two offices of profit.

''Mr Sharma told Ms Bharti at Morena district headquarters that she should contest if the Election Commission decision was not stayed,'' BJ state General Secretary Bhagwandas Sabnani said here.

Political observers feel that the step might be part of a strategy to ''shock and awe'' the saffron party, which is stunned by the disqualification.

After the disqualification was announced yesterday, Mr Moghe said that the BJP was considering to appeal to the Supreme Court. It is almost certain that Mr Moghe will be the saffron party candidate in the bypoll.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jamuna Devi and Congress state supremo Subhash Yadav had submitted a complaint alleging that Mr Moghe was occupying a second office of profit in his capacity as Parliamentary Cell President, which is equivalent to Cabinet Minister.

UNI