Four months after it came into existence, Bharatiya Jan Shakti of expelled Bharatiya Janata Party leader Uma Bharti has been recognised as a political party by the Election Commission.

The recognition has been accorded to the party with effect from July 5, Bharti's aide Sanjay Mishra said in New Delhi citing a letter received from the Election Commission on Monday.

The development will boost the morale of the cadres of the party, he said.

Since its launch in April, BJS is seeking to make a foothold in various states across the country, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

Bharti, who was expelled from BJP in December 2005 for indiscipline, is making efforts to consolidate BJS.

In this direction, she appointed former Madhya Pradesh Minister Prahlad Patel as the party's national general secretary and entrusted former Union minister Tapan Sikdar the party's responsibility of West Bengal last week.

Bharti also appointed social leader Baburam Nishad, believed to have strong influence in the mallah community in the state, as party's chief in election-bound Uttar Pradesh.

Prahlad was expelled from BJP late in 2005 along with Bharti after he alleged that maltreatment was being meted out to the firebrand former Madhya Pradesh chief minister.

Sikdar, who also quit BJP a few months back, was made president of the West Bengal unit of the party and made in-charge of the north-east.