By Niraj Sharma

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party is facing new trouble in Madhya Pradesh. Senior party leader and former Chief Minister Uma Bharti seem to be on a collision course with the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government over various issues.

It is learnt that the party’s central leadership is trying hard to convince Bharti to stop her proposed anti-liquor agitation against the BJP’s state government as it could send a very bad message among voters. Bharti has been targeting the party on its liquor policy and also threatened to launch a state-wide agitation against the BJP government in the state on November 7 and continue it till January 2023, during which she would move around Madhya Pradesh.

She has been openly attacking the Chouhan government over its liquor policy. And had also written to the BJP’s national president JP Nadda on the issue. This is also being seen as an attempt by the senior leader to resurrect her political career in state politics.

Alarm bells went off in the BJP after senior congress leader and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh came out in support of Bharti over her prohibition demand. It is believed that Congress may fan a rebellion in the state unit to hand the BJP an embarrassing 2018-like defeat.

Earlier, in a confrontation with the Narendra Modi government, Bharti had tried to offer Jal Abhishek at Raisen's fort temple, which is an Archaeological Survey of India protected monument.

Bharti is also an OBC leader, just like Chouhan, and commands a lot of respect and following in the state. She has been one of the main leaders of the BJP for the past two decades and has the unique distinction of serving as Union Cabinet minister and chief minister of Madhya Pradesh.

Sources stated that if Bharti decides to rebel and field candidates against the BJP it could end up hurting the saffron party. “Any rebellion could end up giving benefit to the Congress. Madhya Pradesh is a state that witnesses a direct contest between Congress and BJP. This possible rebellion could eat into the vote share of the BJP,” sources added.

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