BJ dissidents refuse to accept Uma as their leader

Bhopal, Apr 2 (UNI) Alleging that Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) President Uma Bharti was not working as per party constitution, a group of party dissident leaders today refused to accept her as their leader at a meeting held in New Delhi.

The meeting, held in the presence of former Union Minister and BJ founder member Prahlad Patel, was participated by dissidents party leaders from Gujarat, Rajastham, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Chandigarh.

During the meeting, dissidents refused to accept Ms Bharti as their leader in writing.

Mr Patel told UNI over telephone that the BJ President was not following party constitution and was taking decisions on her own whims. Due to this, Mr Sanghpriya Gautam was appointed as party working president recently.

A former confidante of the sadhvi, Mr Patel claimed that state BJ presidents from 10 states were not in her favour during the election for party president. However, the issue was put aside in view of Gujarat assembly election.

On whether the BJ has been divided in two factions, Mr Patel said he was a founder member of the party and would work in its welfare.

He had been associated with the party since its formation and wanted to provide strength to the party in view of forthcoming assembly elections.

He said frequent media reports about Ms Bharti's return to BJP was causing confusion among dedicated party workers.

On whether he was planning to returning to the BJP, Mr Patel said he had no plans but some party workers had met him recently and wanted a clear position. He told them that the matter would be discussed after 'Navratri'.

UNI PKJ-KV PS 1809