Will Uma be back to the BJP fold?

New Delhi, Nov 21 (UNI) In the backdrop of elections in Gujarat, Swami Vishweshwar Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawat Mutt, the guru of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti, has issued appeals to all Hindutva and nationalists forces to remain united and do nothing that would divide them.

Issuing a common appeal to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Uma Bharti, the Swamiji said the two personalities should join hands to prevent any split in the Hindutva ranks.

He said he had asked Ms Bharti to accept an offer to return to the BJP fold in the event of an invitation from the party."I have not spoken to my disciple Sadhvi Uma Bharti or to the BJP except to issue a common appeal. There has been good and positive response and the two sides are in touch with each other via mediators (Madhyastas)," the Swamiji told UNI from Udupi.

The swamiji, in his written appeal, said the BJP leadership should act decisively to prevent division in Hindutva ranks in Gujarat.

The seer's appeal assumes significance in the wake of reports from Gujarat that many of the BJP leaders including 13 sitting MLAs, are sought to be fielded as Bhartiya Janashakti party of Uma Bharti in atleast 80 of the 181 assembly constituencies.

However, Ms Bharti's confidant Prahlad Patel was sceptical about the attempt and said the Swamiji had issued similar appeals atleast thrice in the past and BJP President Rajnath too had met him in this regard but nothing had emerged. He accused the BJP of making attempts to blackmail his leader knowing her (Uma's) devotion and reverance towards her Guruji.

UNI