Four months after her expulsion from Bharatiya Janata Party, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti launched a new political party Bhartiya Janshakti Party on Sunday.
After dedicating the outfit's new saffron colour flag to the deity at the famous Mahakal Temple, Uma declared herself to be the national president. Announcing names of office-bearers of the new party, Bharti said former BJP leaders Sangha Priya Gautam is its national vice-president, Raghunandan Prasad Sharma national general secretary and Anita Singh of Uttar Pradesh treasurer.
Delhi strongman and former chief minister Madanlal Khurana, who has not yet joined Bharti's party, was also present on the occasion. Besides, former union minister Tapan Sikdar, former Congress MLA Shailendra Pradhan and former Union Minister Prahlad Patel were also there.
Unveiling the party flag, which is saffron in colour with golden borders and a rising sun mounted on it, Bharti said its 'colour was that of the Indian land and the presence of sun depicts the country's strength'.
Commenting on the party's name, the fiery sanyasin said, "The people are the power of the country and, therefore, the name Bhartiya Janashakti".
Bharti said by forming the new party, she has 'saved BJP, which people claimed was on the verge of extinction'.
"The symbol of BJP is the lotus and that of our party is the rising sun," she said adding, "People should understand that as long as sun will not rise, lotus will not bloom."