BJP MPs threaten to revolt if denied re-nominations

Amid reports of likely denial of nominations to around two dozen sitting MPs in Uttar Pradesh, BJP was left red-faced after two saffron party Lok Sabha members virtually threatened to revolt if not re-nominated.

Saffron clad party MP from Unnao LS seat Sachhidananda Hari Sakshi Maharaj shot off a letter to UP BJP president Mahendra Nath Pandey seeking re-nomination from the same constituency.

Sakshi Maharaj, who has always been in controversy following his remarks, said that he had ''spent'' his own money and worked hard to ''nurture'' BJP organisation in his constituency.

He also said that among the BJP representatives in the Unnao district, he was the only backward caste leader and as such he had a legitimate claim over the seat.

Similarly, BJP MP from Allahabad Shyama Charan Gupta has also threatened to revolt if denied ticket. He even threatened to contest as an independent from the constituency.

''Gupta is very popular in the constituency....he can eat into the BJP votes if he decides to contest as an independent,'' said a close aide of the MP.

UP BJP president Mahendra Nath Pandey, however, sought to play down the threat and asked the MPs to ''keep patience''.

''The party leadership will decide who is to be given the tickets...MPs should keep patience and wait for the decision of the party,'' Pandey said on Tuesday.

Earlier BJP MP from Baharaich Savitribai Phule had quit the saffron party and joined the Congress after reports that she might be dropped.

According to the sources in the BJP, around two dozen sitting MPs from UP could be dropped in the forthcoming LS polls. ''We are currently in the process of selecting the candidates...our first list may be out in the next few days,'' said a senior UP BJP leader here while speaking to Deccan Herald.