Uma slams bigwigs for BJP's crisis

The expelled BJP leader attacked Atal and Advani holding them responsible for the "ideological crisis" in the party.

Expelled BJP leader Uma Bharti on Tuesday made a scathing attack on senior leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani, holding them responsible for the "ideological crisis" in the party.

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Arriving in the capital for the first time after her expulsion, the firebrand Hindutva leader said, "Party is undergoing an ideological crisis. This happens when the focus shifts from politics of ideology to politics of power and the party will have to face the consequences."

Bharti, however, told reporters at New Delhi Railway Station, on arrival from Lucknow after completion of her Bhopal to Ayodhya 'Ram-Roti Yatra', that some leaders, and not the entire party, were responsible for the crisis and lakhs of party cadres "will teach them a lesson".

Asked to name the leaders, Bharti, who was expelled from the party for her utterances and conduct in the wake of leadership change in Madhya Pradesh, said, "Whoever may have deviated from the ideology, Vajpayee and Advani as the top leaders of the party are responsible for it."

She is likely to stay in the capital for two days before proceeding to Hyderabad for a public meeting. Bharti is expected to meet some Sangh Parivar and BJP leaders during her stay.