I will live and die for BJP: Uma

New Delhi: Uma's verdict was finally out of the BJP box on Monday. Nearly 30 years of association ended with a snap as the fiery sanyasin was shown the door by the BJP.

But whether BJP's decision to oust one its strongest 'mass magnet' was politically correct will only emerge later.

As her supporters, detractors and Uma herself voiced their opinion over the expulsion, what is clear is that the sanyasin's story does not end here.

Roaring Tigress

After having recieved a jolt of expulsion by BJP leadership, Uma Bharti is all set to counter-attack. Accusing party President LK Advani of committing "gross indiscipline" by "saluting" Pakistan founder Mohd Ali Jinnah, Uma is demanding his expulsion.

"I want to know if discipline is more important or party president. I will petition BJP's disciplinary committee seeking expulsion of Advani as he broke discipline by praising Jinnah," she told reporters in the midst of her Bhopal-Ayodhya yatra.

Claiming that Advani's controversial statement on Jinnah during his visit to Pakistan had "tarnished" India image and hurt the sentiments of crores of countrymen, Bharti demanded that Advani resign from BJP presidentship and apologise to the nation for committing an "act of indiscipline."

While refuting charges of "anti-party" activity, use of undignified language in her reply to party's show cause notice and attempt to divert people's attention, the fiery sanyasin is to file a petition to Chairman of BJP's Disciplinary Committee Ram Naik, for action against Advani on Tuesday.

In her true rebellious manner, Uma refuses to accept Parliamentary Board decision to expel her and says she would appeal to Disciplinary Committee to revise the decision.

Asked whether she planned to float a new party, Uma said "BJP is mine. I will live and die in BJP" and added that she will decide her future course of action after the Ayodhya yatra.

Asserting that her battle was not against BJP but against six people in the party, she said they were "two pilots and four terrorist hijackers" who have taken the party hostage.

"I don't consider these six people as BJP which belongs to lakhs of party workers," the fiery sanyasin said, adding that her battle was for ideology and principles.

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Maintaining that she would continue her Ayodhya yatra and wait for a response from Ram Naik, the firebrand leader hoped that the "decision of the disciplinary committee would go in her favour and do justice."

BJP Bandwagon

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Sunderlal Patwa on Monday described the expulsion of Uma as "proper". He demanded that she should resign from the state Assembly on moral grounds as she was no longer in the party.

"The BJP parliamentary board must have taken the decision keeping in view the overall interests of the party," he said.

Bharti represents Bada Malehra constituency in the Vidhan Sabha. Welcoming the expulsion, former Chief Minister Babulal Gaur said, "Maintaining discipline is imperative for the very existence of any party."

"Whenever the limits are exceeded, it is necessary to deal with the situation with an iron hand. The parliamentary board's decision will send positive signals," he added.

Andhra Pradesh's BJP Vice-President Somu Veerraju said the decision to expel Uma was a decision of parliamentary party and one has to abide it.

Hopeful Godfather

Former BJP ideologue and godfather to Uma Bharti, Govindacharya is confident of the firebrand leader's political prowess. "Umaji has the capability to tackle the present crisis and emerge successful and there is no need for any support or advice in this regard," he said.

Asked about the propriety of Uma reviving the Ram and Roti slogan, only when faced with a personal crisis, Govindacharya said, "It (slogan) is symbolic of the Indian cultural consciousness and it is free for all to use. However, if a leader with credibility uses it in a personal context, people will not find anything wrong," he said.

Govindacharya, who at present, heads an organisation called the 'Rashtriya Swaabhiman Andolan,' denied reports that Bharati will join its ranks.