Shunted out of Namami Gange project, Uma Bharti to undertake padyatra along holy river

Bharti had earlier said that she would undertake a yatra to create awareness about keeping the Ganga.

After her portfolio was changed from water resources to drinking water and sanitation, Uma Bharti is set to undertake a 'Ganga padyatra' next month.

After she was shifted out of the Water Resources Ministry, Bharti had said the decision was not due to her poor performance. The saffron clad leader had said that she would undertake a yatra to create awareness about keeping the Ganga.

On Tuesday, Bharti told the media that she would start the yatra from Gangasagar in West Bengal.

She, however, said that her yatra should not seen as an act of defiance for changing her portfolio as she had announced it last year, said reports.

She also reiterated she was divested of her water resources and Ganga portfolio in Sunday's Cabinet reshuffle because of non-performance, said an HT report.

Bharti said that the Prime Minister had pulled her up only twice in the last three years and that too for her being overweight.

"Lekin woh ek hi baat par padi hain ki main bahut moti ho gayi hoon aur mujhe apna weight kam karna hain. (I was pulled up for only one thing, it was because i was over weight and that i should reduce my weight," reports quoted her as saying.

Nine new ministers were inducted into the Union cabinet on Sunday while four existing ministers were given more responsibility. The new ministers are a mix of parliamentary experience and administrative capabilities.

Nitin Gadkari was handed over the charge of Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, which was earlier held by Bharti. Bharti is now the Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

OneIndia News