Uma Bharti keen on Jhansi and Raebareli seats

NEW DELHI: Firebrand Hindutva leader Uma Bharti on Saturday kept the debate on fielding her against Congress President Sonia Gandhi alive within the BJP by issuing a statement insisting that she is ready to contest provided the party nominates her from Jhansi as well as Raebareli.

Bharti had reportedly turned down the BJP proposal — mooted by yoga guru Ramdev — that she should fight against Gandhi as the party was not willing to field her from two seats.

Defeating Gandhi on her home turf would be a tall order and hence Bharti wants to contest from Jhansi — where she enjoys wide support — as well. In a statement issued on Saturday, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said, “If the party wants, even today I am ready to contest from Raebareli along with Jhansi.”

She maintained that with Ramdev’s support, she can win both the seats. BJP has already made it clear that Uma will contest only from Jhansi. “During polls, various suggestions for fielding candidates are made from different quarters.

Baba Ramdev had suggested that Uma Bharti should be fielded from Raebareli. We respect him but after careful thought to the issue it has been decided by the party that she will contest only from Jhansi,” BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi told reporters on Friday.

There is more clarity in the party about fielding TV actor Smriti Irani against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi. Her candidature was discussed in a previous Central Election Committee meeting and senior leaders feel she does not stand to lose anything in such a fight as she is a Rajya Sabha member.