Uma, Digvijay to cross swords in UP

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With firebrand BJP leader Uma Bharti given an important responsibility in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the state would now see two former chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh fighting it out for supremacy.

Bharti and Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, both former chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, had crossed swords in 2003 which saw the Congress citadel crumbling in that state.

“Just like in Madhya Pradesh in 2003, Uma Bharti will help BJP come to power in UP and she will aid the party in overthrowing the undemocratic and anti-farmer government of the state,” BJP spokesman Vijay Pathak said.

This time the two leaders would however be pitted against each other, albeit indirectly, as they would be leading the campaign of their respective parties from the background.

When asked to comment on the return of Uma Bharti and being given responsibility in UP, Digvijay Singh said she was not a challenge for him.

He joked that senior BJP leaders like Rajnath Singh should realise that danger is looming large over them with her return.

Singh, who as in-charge of the Congress, brought a turnaround in its electoral fortunes in UP in the last Lok Sabha elections by bagging 21 of the 80 seats.

This time he is responsible for “Mission 2012”, to bring the party back to power in the state.

On the other hand, Bharti known for her fiery speeches is BJP’s best bet to not just tide over factionalism in the state unit but also to take on BSP’s Mayawati and Samajwadi Party’s Mulayam Singh Yadav.

“Uma Bharti’s return will have no affect on the politics of UP. BJP is marginalised in the state and will remain so,” Congress spokesperson Virendra Madan said.

While BJP sources said that with Uma Bharti’s coming, the party would also gain backward votes, denting the SP’s votebank besides winning back the Lodha vote which had left BJP with Kalyan Singh.

Lodhas, though comprising of just around four per cent, have concentrated presence in western districts of the state and their support is important in some 100 Assembly seats.

Lodhas have been the support base of Kalyan Singh (also a lodha) but now with another face of their community Uma Bharti they will find a strong alternative and it would be interesting to see who wins them over, sources said

Kalyan Singh, who has had close ties with Bharti, however, said that no face could save the BJP from doom in Uttar Pradesh.