Ram temple matter of faith for BJP; focus on development issues: Uma Bharti

Bhopal: BJP vice president Uma Bharti on Sunday said that while the issue of Ram temple is a matter of faith for the party, the issue of development and backwardness is a major plank in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Ram Temple is a matter of faith for us. But development and backwardness is a major issue in these elections," Bharti told reporters at her official residence here before leaving for Jhansi to resume campaigning.

Bharti, who suffered from fever and kidney pain while campaigning in Sagar Lok Sabha seat two days back, returned to Jhansi after taking rest.

To a question on giving party ticket to Alok Sanjar from Bhopal after a lot of dilemma, Bharti said for the first time the party has given ticket to a "right" candidate by keeping aside the "VIP-culture" and congratulated Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for it.

The victory of Sanjar from Bhopal is a foregone conclusion, she claimed.

On the issue of efforts to polarise Hindu votes towards BJP and Muslims towards Congress, "This conspiracy was initiated by the Congress and not BJP. It is being done by the UPA's dirty-trick department."

When asked about her health condition, Bharti said, "I informed the party in advance about my health problem and also told them that I won't be able to contest...but I'll have to obey the party orders. It is my religion."

For the last two days Bharti remained under the supervision of her doctors and soon after she fell ill, there was rumour that she does not want to contest poll from Jhansi.

Later her office issued a statement saying that due to health problems she returned to Bhopal for rest and would resume campaigning by evening.

Instead of going back last evening, she returned to Jhansi this morning.