Uma defends Gujarat decision

Barwani, MP, Dec 9 (UNI) Bharatiya Janashakti (BJ) Founder-President and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti has claimed that if her party's 64 candidates were not withdrawn from the Gujarat assembly poll fray then there would have been an ''apprehension'' of the Congress coming to power.

''Twenty of the BJ nominees were sure to win while the rest would have put up a good fight,'' she claimed while addressing a meeting at this district's Sendhwa last night in connection with the byelection to Khargone Lok Sabha seat.

Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hatching a conspiracy to sideline her after using her to campaign during the Madhya Pradesh and Bihar vidhan sabha hustings, she added -- ''despite all that'' -- she withdrew candidates from Gujarat.

''The Congress and BJP are putting up a mock fight over Madhya Pradesh's controversial dumper purchase case. The BJP is mired in corruption,'' Ms Bharti alleged.

UNI