Uma Bharati to return as Madhya Pradesh CM

tags:India New Delhi: Moves are said to be afoot to bring back Uma Bharati as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, a post she had given up more than a year ago when an arrest warrant was to be executed against her in a riot case. The issue is believed to have been discussed at the BJP General Secretaries' meeting chaired by party President L K Advani here last Saturday, sources said.
The meeting is believed to have discussed the situation in Madhya Pradesh where the performance of Babulal Gaur came under the scanner.

While there was no official comment available on the issue, sources said a change of leadership in Madhya Pradesh was not immediately favoured in the midst of a crucial battle of ballots in Bihar where effectiveness of Bharati's campaign would also be under test.

Bharati is keen to return to Madhya Pradesh as Chief Minister but such an event depends on the results in Bihar, the sources said, adding some signals have been given to her that her demand could be favourably considered after the elections.

She had resigned as the state Chief Minister in August last year after a Hubli court ordered execution of an arrest warrant against her in a 1994 riot case. Before quitting, she chose Gaur to succeed her.

But after the case against her was dismissed, she has been yearning to go back to the state as Chief Minister, a position that Gaur is not in a mood to countenance.