BHOPAL, Mar 19 - The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh got a big boost Wednesday when three prominent political leaders belonging to different parties joined it ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The Lok Janshakti Party’s (LJP) state president Phool Singh Baraiya, Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) former state president Bhujbal Singh Ahirwar and Gondwana Gantantra Party’s (GGP) state general Secretary Sukhendra Tiwari joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state party president Narendra Singh Tomar.

It is considered a big jolt to the Congress, which was contemplating bringing Baraiya and Ahirwar in its fold.

Both Baraiya and Ahirwar are considered important for the Congress, given the Dalit and SC & ST vote bank on which they are said to have a considerable influence, mainly in Rewanchal including Satna and Gwalior regions bordering Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister Arjun Singh’s daughter Veena is said to be seeking nomination from Satna on a Congress ticket.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Chouhan said that all the political parties have used Dalits as their vote bank whereas the BJP was the only party which really works for their well being.