BJP on the verge of extinction, says Uma

Dehradun, Jan 5 (UNI) Bharatiya Jan Shakti president Uma Bharti today said the second rung leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party have doomed the party and ''it was on the verge of extinction due to ideological crisis.

''BJP is like a dinosaur, it has gained a lot of weight and is now unable to maintain its balance hence going towards extinction,'' expelled BJP firebrand leader Uma Bharti told newspersons here.

Defending top BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, Ms Bharti said the second rung leaders have been responsible for ''the party's political disaster.'' ''All of them are firm on their individual ideologies. However ideological crisis in common is proving fatal for the party,'' she said. When asked about her return to the BJP, Ms Bharati said, ''There is no question of a return as I had left the party on the conflict of ideology -- I will like to enjoy the downfall of BJP.'' On Ayodhya issue, Ms Bharati said BJP leaders had ''been responsible for the failure of Mandir construction.'' She affirmed her party would like to construct Ram and Shiva temples at Ayodhya and Mathura provided Muslim community approached her for it.

Recalling her old days in BJP, she maintained that she always received due respect in the party. ''I was never misused by the party,'' she claimed, admitting that her split with the BJP was regarding conflict in ideologies. ''I never compromised with my ideologies and always stuck to my agenda,'' she added.

On being asked whether she would remain in politics despite many political leaders being allegedly involved in sex scandals, corruption and criminal activities, Ms Bharati said all these inspire her to be more active in politics.

''At times I even want to give more time to politics than religious rituals,'' she added.

UNI