New beginning for Uma Bharti in BJP

The return of firebrand former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday may be an attempt of the party leadership to make its circle of leaders more inclusive, but apparently in this new beginning she will have to work hard to make her position felt in the forthcoming election campaign in the state.

Bharti is a Lodhi by caste and considered to have some influence in the Bundelkhand region that includes parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Her return has not enthused some leaders in the party anyway. While an announcement about her return to party fold was widely accepted during the recent National Executive meet of the BJP in Lucknow, it was held back at the last moment because of the Ramdev episode taking the centre stage, and the continuing reservation of some party leaders, especially those from Madhya Pradesh itself.

However, by making it specific that Bharti will be involved fully in the Uttar Pradesh affairs and specially improve the party's prospects in Bundelkhand region, the party has sought to allay any fears that leaders in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh might be harbouring.