BJP president Nitin Gadkari today said he wanted expelled leader Uma Bharti to come back to the party-fold but the issue has been put on the back-burner as she has asked for more time.
“Bharti met me and we discussed the issue. But she told me her physical health was not good and she also wanted time for some contemplation and peace. She said she will get back to me,” Mr Gadkari said.
Ever since Mr Jaswant Singh was taken back into the party fold in June 2010, nine months after he was expelled, speculations about Ms Bharti’s return to BJP have gained ground.
However, unlike Mr Singh there are several leaders within BJP who are apprehensive about Ms Bharti’s return as it would weaken their position.
These rumours were further strengthened when Ms Bharti recently travelled with senior BJP leader L K Advani to Raipur to attend Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh’s father’s funeral ceremony and later when she accompanied him to Somnath.
Gadkari himself is said to be keen on taking her back in the party.
“When I became BJP president, I had said I will definitely try to bring back those who had left the party. I met Ms Bharti soon after this. Consultations with other party leaders on her return to BJP are on,” Mr Gadkari said.
