In UP CM race, Uma first among equals?
People at a municipal council election rally addressed by Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan at Gondavale, in Satara district
After being projected as one among the three contenders for the top job in Uttar Pradesh by BJP president Nitin Gadkari, firebrand saffron sanyasan Uma Bharti appears to have emerged as “first among the equals”.
Considering the two other nominees (Rajya Sabha MP Kalraj Mishra and state unit chief Surya Pratap Shahi) not that important, the central leadership of the party has decided to hand over the “chariot”, which was used by BJP veteran L.K. Advani during his “Jan Chetna Yatra”, to Ms Bharti for her campaign tour across the state.
“Since Umaji has entered the state, the party’s prospects have improved. She has been drawing huge crowds all across the state. Now, it has been decided to provide her with the vehicle, which Advaniji had used during his Jan Chetna Yatra,” party sources said.
However, commenting on the development, a sceptic in the BJP, who is not convinced about the party’s fortunes in the UP polls, said, “In the Cabinet form of government Prime Minister happens to be first among the equals in the council of ministers and so is a chief minister in the state Cabinet. But in our party even among the chief ministers-in-waiting, there is one (Uma Bharti) who is first among the equals.”
For the purpose, the party has approached the Election Commission for permission, as it is mandatory for the parties to inform and get the nod of the poll panel before deciding on the kind and number of vehicles used by candidates, sources informed. Ms Bharti is contesting from Charkhari seat in the Bundelkhand region of the state.
An EC official confirmed that an application has come to the EC for approval. But since the party failed to submit a certificate from the regional transport office or an affidavit that it conforms to the Motor Vehicle Act, the permission has not yet been granted. “But the party has been informed about this technical aspect. Once they submit the papers, the EC will be able to grant the permission,” he said.
Ms Bharti is slated to campaign in different parts of the state using the rath.
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