Uma meets Advani, may accept gen secy146;s post

Firebrand BJP leader Uma Bharati called on party chief L.K. Advani at his residence this morning, indicating that patch-up efforts are on to...

Firebrand BJP leader Uma Bharati called on party chief L.K. Advani at his residence this morning, indicating that patch-up efforts are on to bring her on board as one of the BJP8217;s seven general secretaries.

Bharati, who refused the post last week, is believed to have 8216;8216;calmed down8217;8217; and held discussions with her self-confessed 8216;8216;mentor8217;8217; today, the details of which were not divulged.

Sources said Advani was 8216;8216;upset8217;8217; at Bharati8217;s 8216;8216;tantrum8217;8217; 8212; her refusal to be general secretary and her supporters8217; campaign against Pramod Mahajan had only undermined Advani8217;s authority.

The sanyasin8217;s decision to call on him was a peace offering of sorts and could pave the way for her appointment as general secretary. That only six general secretaries were appointed and one position left vacant is indication enough that doors have not been shut on Bharati, sources said.

However, the former CM8217;s biggest grouse is the manner in which she has been sliced out of her home state8217;s affairs over the last few months. Bharati feels she played a big role in securing an unprecedented three-fourth majority for the BJP in the Assembly elections. But once she resigned, her opponents grabbed the opportunity to remove her from the scene permanently.

She is learnt to be keen on having a greater say in the running of MP 8212; either as general secretary in-charge of the state or as chairperson of a special 8216;8216;coordination committee8217;8217; to oversee the state8217;s affairs.

A powerful section in the party feel Advani has pandered to her too many times and did the right thing by keeping her out this time. But Advani is keen on projecting a united team and Bharati8217;s presence 8212; as one of the party8217;s biggest mass leaders who embodies the saffron-OBC-woman triple combo 8212; will add weight to the organisation, others feel.

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While the anti-Bharati group insists she be made general secretary only if she comes 8216;8216;without any conditions8217;8217;, those in her favour feel she should not buckle under 8216;8216;emotional blackmail8217;8217; and hold out for a little longer. A compromise formula might be worked out, with Bharati being given some role in her home state but not reinstated either as CM or bestowed with the 8216;8216;super CM8217;8217; role either, sources said.