New Delhi: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) parliamentary board today (Aug 23, 2004) accepted Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti's decision to step down and asked her to hand over the resignation to Governor Balram Jakhar in the wake of a non-bailable warrant issued against her by a Karnataka Court.

Announcing the board's decision, party president M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters that Bharti would be handing over the resignation any moment and the State BJP legislature party would meet at 2 hrs (IST) to elect a new leader.

He said the central leadership had deputed party general secretary Arun Jaitley to be present and guide the deliberations for a smooth election of Bharati's successor.