Joshi, Uma Bharti common bond at condolence meeting

New Delhi, Sep 3 (UNI) What do senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi and expelled BJP General Secretary Uma Bharti have in common -- 'facing the enemies within'.

Both these leaders openly confessed today about how difficult it is to face an enemy especially when he was an 'insider'.

They were participating in a condolence meeting held to mourn the death of noted journalist Bhanu Pratap Shukla who is believed to be the brain behind the temple movement.

First to lash out at the enemy was Ms Bharti who recalled how she learnt from Mr Shukla how to remain cool and smiling even when faced with huge insults (ghor apaman) from within. '' You all know who I am referring to,'' she told a largely Sangh Pariwar audience without taking any names.

Mr Shukla was frail and thin but his face never reflected the physical pain he suffered, she said.

Agreeing with Ms Bharti was Dr Joshi when it came to swallowing the insults heaped upon by an insiders. "We can boldly face assults come from outside but feel uncomfortable when it is from within", he said. "Only a sadhak can swallow insults without showing it in the face and Mr Shukla was one such attained personality", Dr Joshi said.

Surprise attendence among the mourners was Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and the first speaker at the condolence meeting. "I may not agree with him on ideology but I respect him and his linguistic ability. Many including Dr Joshi are aware of my loyalty to Hindi language", the Chief Minister said.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP President Rajnath Singh had sent their messages hailing Mr Shukla's contribution to Hindi journalism and in cementing the Hindutva forces. Those who attended the meeting included Swami Swaroopanandji, VHP leader Ashok Singhal and former Union Minister Subramanian Swamy.

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