Uma's return was not discussed: Babulal Gaur

A big faction in the Madhya Pradesh BJP strongly believes the party should not re-induct Uma Bharti.

The buzz surrounding Uma Bharti just does not seem to die down. After Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan reportedly expressed his apprehension about Ms. Bharti's return to BJP president Nitin Gadkari in Delhi, State Urban Development Minister Babulal Gaur, in a conversation with The Hindu , dismissed it as a non-issue.

“It hardly matters if she returns or not,” Mr. Gaur said, adding, “What has the party missed in her absence that it will gain when she returns?”

Back from his recent visit to New Delhi, Mr. Gaur said the issue was not even discussed. He also denied Mr. Chauhan making any statements threatening to resign if Ms. Bharti was taken back into the party.

“As far as I know, the Chief Minister did not make any such statement. Where is the need?” said Mr.Gaur.

Opposition

According to sources, a faction in the State is opposed to Ms. Bharti's return as they feel that once she is back, her strong connections in the RSS and her mass support in rural areas may have the potential to alter the balance of power in the State.