The Hindu : Digvijay raring to take on Uma Bharti

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 01, 2003

Other States

Other States - Madhya Pradesh

Digvijay raring to take on Uma Bharti

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JAN. 31. The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Digvijay Singh, is unfazed by the Bharatiya Janata Party's decision to pit the former Union Minister, Uma Bharti, against him. "She is the BJP's problem, not mine," the two-time Chief Minister said nonchalantly.

As far as Mr. Singh is concerned, the arrival of Ms. Bharti to spearhead the BJP challenge to his leadership would make no difference to the situation in the State. "Whether it is Kailash Joshi (the State BJP president) or her, we will fight and defeat both."

Interacting with mediapersons over lunch today, Mr. Singh gave no indication of being perturbed by his challenger. Instead, he sought to give the impression that he quite relished taking on the "fiery sanyasin".

Ms. Bharti has been campaigning in the State even before the formal announcement declaring her the head of the campaign committee.

Much to her embarrassment, her brother, who is also a member of the State Assembly, shot off a letter criticising her and questioning her credentials. He is now set to join the Congress.

Mr. Singh has been quick to use such opportunities against her. He has also made it clear that his Government would not tolerate any attempt to communalise or vitiate the atmosphere in the State. He promised action against any attempt to create a Gujarat-like situation.

"The administration will come down hard on all those trying to create trouble."

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

Digvijay raring to take on Uma Bharti