Uma votes for Advani, will campaign for him

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janashakti Party leader Uma Bharti on Wednesday said she supports Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L K Advani for the next prime minister and will also campaign for him in elections.

"I will campaign for Advaniji in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and I would consider myself fortunate if I get even one vote for him," Bharti said at a press conference here.

Bharti, in a letter addressed to Advani on Tuesday, said that she supports him in becoming the next Prime Minister. Bharti changed her view years after she was expelled from the BJP for her outburst against Advani in full media glare.

"I (Bharti) have decided that I would not become a road block in you becoming the prime minister. I want you to become the prime minister and help solve the serious national issues," the letter said.

At the press meet, Bharti said: "There is no politician in this country better suited for the post of prime minister than Advaniji. I have written to him as well as met him expressing my support".

"But I am not joining the BJP or merging my party with it," she added.

Bharti was suspended from the party in 2004 but her suspension was revoked in May 2005 due to pressure by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and she was appointed member of the party's national executive.

Later in the year, she was expelled from the BJP when she revolted against the appointment of Shivraj Singh Chauhan as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh.

Bharti, who later formed Bharatiya Janashakti Party, wrote to Advani: "For the post of prime minister, I support you completely and will follow every direction in this regard."

The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister also said that she will not contest the Lok Sabha elections this time because her party "does not have adequate funds".

Uma Bharati has also requested Arun Jaitley to attend party meetings. "Main media ke madhyam se request karti hoon Jaitley ji se ki aap party ki meeting mein aayeye. Gussa thukiye, desh ke saamne bauhaut badi sankat ki ghadi hai ("I request Arun Jaitley through the medium of the media to let go his anger and come and attend party meetings. The country is facing difficult times"), she said.