BJP No.2 in MP switches over to Uma146;s camp

The sources said Sharma, a former minister, complained of constant apathy by the state and national leadership towards his concerns. He had been sidelined by Chief Minister Shivraj Chauhan and state general secretary organisation Kaptan Singh Solanki. They scuttled his bid to be the state unit president as well as for a Rajya Sabha berth. Finally, he scaled down his demand to a general secretary8217;s post, but was instead made a vice-president. The proverbial last straw came when he was kept out of the loop with regard to preparations for the 8216;8216;rath-yatra8217;8217; in areas under his charge.

For Bharati, a prominent Brahmin face will give her party a wider social complexion in Madhya Pradesh. Her key associates include OBC leaders Prehlad Patel and Sukhlal Kushwaha and Dalit leader Gauri Shankar Shejwar.

Bharati has decided to name her outfit as Bharatiya Janshakti Party or Dal. If she goes in for 8216;Party8217;, the abbreviation would be the same as BJP, which she does not want. As per the muhurat, the name of the party would be announced between 2 and 3.30 pm.

Former Delhi chief minister Madan Lal Khurana, former Union minister of state Sanghpriya Gautam and Apna Dal leader Sone Lal Patel are slated to be present on the occasion.