Uma sees ''conspiracy'' behind Ms Patil's candidature

Bhopal, Jun 16 (UNI) Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) supremo Uma Bharti has written to Shiv Sena Founder Bal Thackeray urging him to contemplate whether some ''conspiracy'' existed behind Ms Pratibha Patil's candidature for President.

Copies of the letter to Mr Thackeray were released to the press today by the BJ's Madhya Pradesh office.

''I have learnt that you are considering supporting UPA candidate Ms Patil who is a lady and a Maratha but you should not forget she is the governor who refused to sign the Rajasthan government's Anti-Conversion Bill. You are not unfamiliar with the activities of Christian missionaries,'' wrote former Chief Minister of the state, Uma Bharti.

UNI