Govindacharya handed over BJS reins, accepts role of advisor

Bhopal/ New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) Signalling a shift in the power equations ahead of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janshakti Party (BJS) leader Uma Bharti today handed over the party's leadership to former BJP ideologue K N Govindacharya, who said he may accept to play the role of the advisor for the party.

The BJS would be converted into a political wing of Mr Govindacharya's ''Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan'' (RSA).

''Mr Govindacharya will become the de facto 'overall in-charge' of the BJS after the polling for Madhya Pradesh Assembly election on November 27 and till then Ms Bharti and Sanghapriya Gautam would continue to be its working presidents, while General Secretary Narendra Birthare would be coordinator for amalgamating the BJS with RSA,'' Ms Bharti told mediapersons in Bhopal today.

However, the BJP sharply reacted to this, saying ''who else can become supremo in her party''.

BJP Secretary Prabhat Jha said in Bhopal it was upto Ms Bharti to select anybody as chief of her party. ''Who else can become the supremo in her party'', he asked.

In New Delhi, Mr Govindacharya, considered as the political guru of the Sanyasin, said he had explicit faith in the leadership of Ms Bharti.

''Her party along with a few other outfits was seeking to occupy 'pro-bharat and pro-poor' space at a time when mainstream political parties were playing a subservient role to protect foreign economic interests pedalling pro-rich policies,'' he said.

''I may become her adviser but will continue to pursue work on academics, constructive and educational planks,'' Mr Govindacharya added.

Asked if he would involve himself in the poll campaign in Madhya Pradesh where Ms Bharti's party has high stakes, he said there was very little time left for him to play a significant role. However, Ms Bharti was competent enough to handle the political issues concerning Madhya Pradesh, her home state.

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