In a reflection of the current rumblings in the Bharatiya Janata Party, party leader Uma Bharti on Wednesday invited former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to join her in 'penance' since he had 'no work'.
"Atalji ke paas abhi koi kaam nahin hai. Mere paas bhi koi kaam nahin hai (Atalji does not have any work at present. I also have no work)," she told reporters in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh.
Uma's remarks came a day after Vajpayee said he supported Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Sudarshan's suggestion that he and Lal Kishenchand Advani resign from their posts to make way for young leaders. Vajpayee said he would have no problem resigning, as he had 'no work'.
"Let Atalji come here and we both baap-beti (father-daughter) will perform tapasya," the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said, a day before a spiritual function in Amarkantak in which she is expected to announce her political plans after seeking blessings from her guru Swami Vishveshwara Teerth of Udipi.
Bharti said she would discuss with her guru the hardships faced by her during her 13 years as sanyasin and seek his advice on whether to continue in politics.
Speculations are rife in political circles about the Bharti's next move. On Tuesday, she had said she might quit politics if her guru told her so. However, on Wednesday she said she had not meant retirement.
"The RSS chief had said that there should be an age limit [in politics], which I felt applies to me. But I never said I would retire," she said.
"I have been forced to retire at the age of 45. I wanted to go on a pilgrimage, but Advaniji asked me not to go. I have never asked for any post, but was hoping that I would be given some responsibility. But it did not happen. So I think maybe he wanted me to retire early," she said.
On why she has not invited Chief Minister Babulal Gaur for the function, Bharti said, "I have not invited anyone. Everyone has come on their own, out of their trust and reverence."