Bhopal: The BJP in Madhya Pradesh has chosen to stay shut over the possible return of former state chief minister Uma Bharti into the partyfold after the central leadership asked senior leaders to desist from going public about their views on the issue.
"The decision on re-admitting Bharti into the party will be taken by BJP president Nitin Gadkari and other senior leaders and is not concerned with me," former Madhya Pradesh
Chief Minister Kailash Joshi, who is close to Bharti told a news agency.
The party leaders are maintaining a stoic silence on the issue after the central party leaders snubbed senior ministers, Babulal Gaur and Kailash Vijaywargiya for speaking
in favour of Bharti`s return.
When contacted, Bharti, however told a news agency that she will speak on anything only after the death anniversary of her close relative which falls next month.
Sources close to her said that her return to the BJP is certain but in the present scenario it may take some time and will depend on what RSS finally decides on it.
However, RSS Madhya Bharat Region head Shashibhai Seth and Malwa Region head, Krishna Kumar Asthana said the issue is being dealt at the highest level and "we have no role to play in it."
Recently RSS ideologue, MG Vaidya, in an article in the daily Tarun Bharat, has said if Jaswant Singh can be handed a political pardon for praising Pakistan`s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah, then expelled leaders like Bharti, Govindacharya and Sanjay Joshi should be taken back and should in fact be accorded a better welcome.
Number of BJP leaders and ministers in the state are in favour of Bharti`s return but a section of leaders including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and MP BJP
President Prabhat Jha besides several central party leaders are opposed to the idea.
Though Bharti is presently camping in Bhopal at her Civil Lines residence, she hardly meets anyone.
PTI
