Uttar Pradesh: Uma, Digvijaya to cross swords

Lucknow: With firebrand BJP leader Uma Bharti given an important responsibility in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the state would now see two former chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh fighting it out for

supremacy.

Bharti and Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, both former chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, had crossed swords in 2003 which saw the Congress citadel crumbling in that state.

"Just like in Madhya Pradesh in 2003, Uma Bharti will help BJP come to power in UP and she will aid the party in overthrowing the undemocratic and anti-farmer government of the state," BJP spokesman Vijay Pathak said.

This time the two leaders would however be pitted against each other, albeit indirectly, as they would be leading the campaign of their respective parties from the background.

When asked to comment on the return of Uma Bharti and being given responsibility in UP, Digvijay Singh said she was not a challenge for him.

He joked that senior BJP leaders like Rajnath Singh should realise that danger is looming large over them with her return.

Singh, who as in-charge of the Congress, brought a turnaround in its electoral fortunes in UP in the last Lok Sabha elections by bagging 21 of the 80 seats.

This time he is responsible for 'Mission 2012', to bring the party back to power in the state.