Click to play videoNew Delhi: There are no permanent enemies in politics. In what could be the return of the prodigal daughter, expelled BJP leader Uma Bharati is leaving no stone unturned to cosy up to BJP's prime ministerial candidate, L K Advani.
Uma Bharati had in a statement on Wednesday supported Advani's prime ministerial candidature.
However, she said she won't re-join BJP or contest elections this time because her party "does not have adequate funds".
She said that not only does she support Advani becoming the next prime minister but will also campaign for him in the non-BJP dominated states for the upcoming Lok Sabha 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," she said at a press conference.
Bharati, in a letter addressed to Advani on Tuesday, said that she supports him in becoming the next prime minister.
"I (Uma Bharati) 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.
The firebrand leader is also trying to play troubleshooter. She wants BJP senior leader Arun Jaitely to patch up with party President Rajnath Singh and attend the party's election committee meetings.
Her U-turn comes years after she was expelled from the BJP for her outburst against Advani in full media glare.
Bharati was suspended from the BJP in 2004 but her suspension was revoked in May 2005 due to pressure by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and she was appointed member of the party's national executive.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.
Bharati has been a bitter critic of the BJP since her expulsion after her public outburst against Advani in a party meeting.
CNN-IBN's National Bureau Chief Bhupendra Chaubey spoke exclusively to the Bharatiya Janshakti Party leader who says this is the homecoming of a daughter.
Bhupendra Chaubey: What should the people of the country make from this?
Uma Bharati: It is the homecoming of a daughter to a father, back home. I never intended to come back to the BJP, I am very happy with my party.
Bhupendra Chaubey: The popular belief is that Uma Bharati did not have the money and therefore you have thought of burying your differences with the BJP.
Uma Bharati: No, no, please don't belittle me like this. We decided not to fight the elections, so we had to support somebody. Then I asked CNN-IBN for a national debate to help me decide who should I support. Advani is the person who has been involved in the Tiranga Andolan, in the Ayodhya movement, in the Jammu and Kashmir movement, so I will support him only as the prime ministerial candidate.
Bhupendra Chaubey: Has Varun Gandhi not violated the spirit of the Indian Constitution?
Uma Bharati: I believe Varun Gandhi should restrain his language, but there are those who have fielded Sanjay Dutt and are supporting Sanjay Dutt, so people should appreciate Varun Gandhi also. I don't appreciate both.
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