Uma demands inquiry into politician's nexus with drug mafia

Bhopal, July 18 (UNI) Bharatiya Jan Shakti President Uma Bharti today demanded an inquiry into the politicians' alleged links with drug mafia, terrorists and Naxalites.

Ms Bharti told reporters here that an independent agency should be asked to investigate the matter to expose the culprits in order to avoid incidents like Mumbai blasts and naxalite assaults in Chhattisgarh.

She pointed out that revelations regarding the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activities were shocking.

The BJS leader said many times people asked why she didn't raise these issues while she was in the BJP. She pointed out that she had made a statement on the issue in 1996 which led to a furore in the party circles but it was calmed down at the intervention of senior BJP leader Vijayraje Scindia.

Ms Bharti claimed the BJS had become the first party to earmark 50 per cent positions in the party to women.

Among the women leaders in the BJP, only Ms Sushma Swaraj and she could come forward to prominent place despite adverse circumstances.

Only one woman could make it into the CPI(MP) politburo.

In a lighter vein, she said she would be called a youth leader until she turns 85. Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee could become the Prime Minister at the age of 70 only and leaders were called youth leaders in the BJP even at the age of 60.

State BJ President Raghunandan Sharma said around 150 leaders having the RSS or the BJP background -- including Mr Nahar Singh Vaghela, Mr Gangaram Baghel and Mr Hari Singh -- joined the BJS today. This would affect political equations in Gwalior, Indore and Ujjain divisions.

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