Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and former Union Minister Uma Bharati has asserted that, as a firm believer in the Hindutva ideology, in her opinion, among all the prime ministerial candidates, only Bharatiya Janata Party’s L.K. Advani can build the Ram temple at Ayodhya.
The firebrand sanyasin, who is now the president of the Bharatiya Janshakti Party, caused a flutter recently, when in a letter to BJP President Rajnath Singh she declared her intent to spearhead the “Advani for prime minister” campaign. With both Advani and Rajnath giving her the green signal, Uma launched her campaign from Ayodhya. Being a woman and a Hindutva icon, Uma has proved to be one of the best campaigners for Advani.
Excerpts from an interview:
Given the track record of the previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the center (1998-2004), how do you think Advani will fare now, if elected to power?
Among all the prime ministerial candidates, I can only vouch for Advani ... that he alone can build the Ram temple in Ayodhya. It was Advani, who brought Ayodhya on to the Bharatiya Janata Party agenda and took out the “Rath Yatra” from Somnath to Ayodhya in 1990. At least I can pressure Advani on the issue of the Ram temple, if he is the prime minister. That would not be the case if someone else is the prime minister.
How come you are campaigning for Advani, when you are not part of the BJP?
I am campaigning for Advani in the same manner as Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray or Janata Dal (United) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar or Shiromani Akali Dal leader and Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal are campaigning to make Advani the prime minister. They, too, are not part of the BJP and yet they are campaigning for Advani.
What do you think are the key campaign issues?
I belong to a different political party, the Bharatiya Janshakti Party. My party has raised certain issues like the construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya, protecting the Ram Sethu and bringing back black money stashed away in Swiss banks. All these issues find an echo Advani’s campaign. There is a convergence of views between the two parties.
Now that you are openly campaigning for the BJP, is homecoming a distinct possibility for you?
I am taking part in the “Advani for PM” campaign as the president of a national party. I have no plans to merge my party with the BJP. Presently, no such thought has crossed my mind. I have a task cut out clearly for me. In the next few weeks, I shall be campaigning for Advani. If I am able to materially contribute to the campaign and am in a position to influence it, no one will be happier than me.
Is there are any convergence in the ideology between the BJP and Bharatiya Janshakti Party?
When I left the BJP and decided to float my own outfit, the Bharatiya Janshakti Party, I took out a yatra from Madhya Pradesh to Ayodhya. At that time, at least two political parties sent word to me that if I drop my insistence on Hindutva, I would be welcomed. But I refused. The Bharatiya Janshakti Party was launched with “Ram” and “roti” as the twin planks of the party. Thus, there is a convergence between the two parties.
What makes you root for Advani?
I joined politics at the behest of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. I joined for the sake of Ram. Ever since, I have never compromised on the Hindutva ideology. It is toward this end that I am seeking votes for Advani, who brought the issue of Ram on to the political center stage.
