Uma withdraws candidates, but ‘won’t rejoin’ BJP
In a development that could avert a split in the Hindu-vote constituency of Uttar Pradesh, Bharatiya Janashakti leader Uma Bharti has announced the withdrawal of party candidates from the assembly polls.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: In a development that could avert a split in the Hindu-vote constituency of Uttar Pradesh, Bharatiya Janashakti leader Uma Bharti has announced the withdrawal of party candidates from the assembly polls.
Backers of Uma Bharti in the Sangh Parivar, particularly the VHP leadership, have been trying to organise a face-saver for Uma Bharti. On Thursday, the VHP had issued an appeal to Uma Bharti’s candidates to withdraw in support of Kalyan Singh and in the “larger interests of the Hindus”. Incidentally, Ms Bharti belongs to the Lodh community of which Kalyan Singh is the tallest leader.
Ms Bharti, who vowed revenge on the BJP after her expulsion from the party, has not been successful in carrying out her threat. While her party fared miserably in the by-elections to the Madhya Pradesh assembly, it did not make any impact in the Delhi civic elections.
Although Ms Bharti dismissed suggestions that her action was a precursor to her rejoining the main opposition party, the decision signals an acknowledgment that she’s in need of a bigger and credible political platform. But she maintained a defiant posture on Friday.
“There is no question of returning to the BJP,” she said in reply to a volley of questions from reporters adding that the UP polls were a “test’“for the BJP. “If the BJP fails to get a clear majority in the election, it should accept that the Hindu community has no faith in it,” said Ms Bharti.
Ms Bharti had put up 72 candidates in the first two phases of polls and had plans to put up 132 more for the 403-seat assembly for which the seven phase poll is being held. “We are working on the modalities to withdraw the candidates whose names are yet to be announced,” she said.
She refused to react when asked whether she would campaign for the BJP in view of withdrawal of her candidates. Without naming the BJP, Bharti alleged that there was a well planned conspiracy by some leaders who issue statements that she was returning to the BJP during every election.
On Thursday, VHP leader Ashok Singhal had issued an appeal “in the larger interests of Hindus” to candidates in the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh to avoid division of Hindu votes by withdrawing in support of Kalyan Singh as the chief ministerial candidate.
“We no more appeal in favour of a particular party. We are appealing to avoid a division of Hindu votes and ensure the election of Kalyan Singh as the next chief minister. Under his leadership alone can a temple be built at Ram Janmabhoomi,” VHP chief Singhal had said. Mr Singhal said he would be making efforts to bring back Uma Bharti to BJP.
Backers of Uma Bharti in the Sangh Parivar, particularly the VHP leadership, have been trying to organise a face-saver for Uma Bharti. On Thursday, the VHP had issued an appeal to Uma Bharti’s candidates to withdraw in support of Kalyan Singh and in the “larger interests of the Hindus”. Incidentally, Ms Bharti belongs to the Lodh community of which Kalyan Singh is the tallest leader.
Ms Bharti, who vowed revenge on the BJP after her expulsion from the party, has not been successful in carrying out her threat. While her party fared miserably in the by-elections to the Madhya Pradesh assembly, it did not make any impact in the Delhi civic elections.
Although Ms Bharti dismissed suggestions that her action was a precursor to her rejoining the main opposition party, the decision signals an acknowledgment that she’s in need of a bigger and credible political platform. But she maintained a defiant posture on Friday.
“There is no question of returning to the BJP,” she said in reply to a volley of questions from reporters adding that the UP polls were a “test’“for the BJP. “If the BJP fails to get a clear majority in the election, it should accept that the Hindu community has no faith in it,” said Ms Bharti.
Ms Bharti had put up 72 candidates in the first two phases of polls and had plans to put up 132 more for the 403-seat assembly for which the seven phase poll is being held. “We are working on the modalities to withdraw the candidates whose names are yet to be announced,” she said.
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She refused to react when asked whether she would campaign for the BJP in view of withdrawal of her candidates. Without naming the BJP, Bharti alleged that there was a well planned conspiracy by some leaders who issue statements that she was returning to the BJP during every election.
On Thursday, VHP leader Ashok Singhal had issued an appeal “in the larger interests of Hindus” to candidates in the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh to avoid division of Hindu votes by withdrawing in support of Kalyan Singh as the chief ministerial candidate.
“We no more appeal in favour of a particular party. We are appealing to avoid a division of Hindu votes and ensure the election of Kalyan Singh as the next chief minister. Under his leadership alone can a temple be built at Ram Janmabhoomi,” VHP chief Singhal had said. Mr Singhal said he would be making efforts to bring back Uma Bharti to BJP.
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