2013 Assembly polls, not Uma's return, main concern of MP BJP

BHOPAL: Despite reports suggesting imminent return of firebrand saffron leader Uma Bharti into the BJP fold, the party's Madhya Pradesh unit does not appear enthusiastic over the issue and says it is more focused on the 2013 Assembly elections.

"I have not heard anything of that sort in the party," Madhya Pradesh BJP President Prabhat Jha told PTI when asked about the reports suggesting return of the former Chief Minister into BJP in the near future.

Asked how reports about her re-entry into the BJP keep pouring in at regular intervals, Jha, who today completed a year at the post, said there was nothing going on in the party on the issue.

Jha said his only aim at present is to ensure that BJP comes back to power in the state for the third time in a row and for that the party has drawn up an elaborate strategy.

As per the strategy, the BJP is not only focusing on the segments it lost in the 2008 polls, but is also trying to ensure that it captures the maximum number of the reserved category seats, he said.

"BJP believes that only that party will be able to form the next government in the state which corners the maximum number of SC/ST seats."

At present, out of the total 47 seats reserved for STs in the 230-member House, BJP has 29 in its kitty, while of the 35 SC constituencies, it has 26 in its fold.

"We have targeted to retain all these seats," Jha said.