5 BJS MLAs to join BJP

After the return of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti to the BJP, her supporters including five MLAs belonging to the Bharatiya Janashakti (BJS) may also soon join the saffron party.

BJS General Secretary Narendra Birthare told PTI that the announcement about the merger of the BJS with the BJP would be made by BJP President Nitin Gadkari on June 29 in Delhi.

On the occasion, Uma and office bearers of the BJS would also be present, Birthare said.

In the last assembly elections held in November 2008, BJS had set up nominees in 214 out of a total of 230 seats in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly but had won in only five.

The present strength of BJP in the state assembly is 145 and with the merger of the BJS it would go upto 150.