Uma Bharti extends support to BJP

Bhartiya Janashakti Party President Uma Bharti today met BJP leader L K Advani and said it was her "rashtra dharma" to support the saffron party and its prime ministerial candidate in the Lok Sabha polls.  

"I have not done any favour to BJP or Advaniji by supporting them. Neither do I want them to feel this support as a favour. I have just fulfilled my duty to the nation. It is my rashtra dharma," she said.  

Bharti, who had formed the Bharytiya Janshakti after being expelled from the BJP, said she would extend "maximum cooperation (to BJP) within my capacity".  

Describing her meeting with Advani as the "homecoming of a daughter," Bharti said "Advani had always been a father figure for her".  

Asked whether her move was prompted by lack of funds for her party, "I have said before that our party lacks funds to fight elections but let the country debate and tell me whom I should support. It is obviously Lal Krishna Advani who has been the face of the Ayodhya movement."  

She also denied reports of her joining the party and insisted that Bhartiya Janshakti party was still in existence.  

The meeting comes five years after Bharti stormed out of a party meeting chaired by Advani accusing him of favouring certain leaders.

Bharti said the result of the Lok Sabha polls depends upon the people of the country.  

"A lot of changes will take place now but I will not change my words," she said.  

On BJP candidate Varun Gandhi's anti-Muslim speech, she said "he is a young and significant leader and should choose his words carefully".   

She attacked Samajwadi Party for making Sanjay Dutt its candidate from Lucknow, saying the actor has faced punishment for links with terrorists. "Those people have no right to comment on Varun".