Maneka, Uma slam BJP over Kushwaha

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Maneka Gandhi and Uma Bharti on Friday slammed their party for including sacked Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders like Babu Singh Kushwaha and Badshah Singh.

"It was a wrong step taken by BJP to include expelled ministers of BSP like Kushwaha," Gandhi told reporters.

"I do not think that the party leadership was consulted before the move was taken," she said.

On the other hand, Uma Bharati has reportedly warned that she will stop campaigning for the party in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, allegedly in protest over the induction of the new members in the party.

However when asked by the media to clarify her stand, Bharti said: "Whatever I need to say about the party I will say at the party forum. I will not make any comment in the media."

Meanwhile, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Friday criticised the BJP and said that the key opposition party of India should create an internal ´Lokpal´ body to monitor the addition of leaders like Babu Singh Kushwaha.

"BJP need not petition President on Lokpal; instead, should create internal Lokpal to screen and admit only corrupt applicants like Kushwaha," Singhvi tweeted.

The BJP has already drawn a lot of criticism from the opposition for including former BSP leaders like Kushwaha and Badshah Singh in their party earlier this week.

Kushwaha had to resign from the Mayawati cabinet in April last year over the allegations. He was later expelled from the party.