Uma Bharti (born May 3, 1959, Madhya Pradesh, India) is an Indian politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She was the first woman to be the Chief minister of Madhya Pradesh.

The Sanyasin: Uma has told people close to her that she has two identities. One belongs to a sadhu who saved her life (and died the very same day), when she was three. He’s the sanyasi within her. He’s why she could give religious discourses in 75 countries around the world from the age of five.

Number 173: This number is fixed in her head; it’s the number of seats the BJP won in Madhya Pradesh in this year’s assembly elections. She pointed to 173 each time she wanted to make the point that she was in touch with the grassroots. And that her enemies in the Rajya Sabha weren’t.

Whims and

Hidden Homebody: She rearranged the CM’s office at Bhopal’s Vallabh Bhawan to fit practically a whole mandir into it. There were havans all day before she actually moved in there. Several ministers followed Didi’s lead, and in one case did so with such enthusiasm that people thought the building was on fire.

Discourses and disputes

Born May 3, 1959

At age 5, started giving religious discourses

By 16, she attained fame for discourses on the Ramayana

She began travelling around the country to broaden her experience

Decided early on not to marry and remain a Sadhvi, committed to Hindutva. Known as “Didi” to her followers

Travelled to 75 countries to give discourses

1980 — Entered politics after coming into contact with Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia

1984 — First contested Lok Sabha elections from Khajuraho at age of 25; lost in

1986 — Raised her profile through the Ayodhya movement

1988 — Became deputy chief of BJP’s Madhya Pradesh state unit

1989 — Won LS election from Khajuraho

Re-elected in 1991, 1996 and 1998. In 1999, she contested and won from Bhopal

1992 — During demolition of Babri Masjid she reportedly egged on kar sewaks saying “ek dhakka aur do (meaning: give it one more blow)” (she denies this)

Union minister of state for Human Resource Development (1998-99), Tourism (1999-2000), Youth Affairs and Sports (2000-20002), Coal and Mines (2002-2003)

2003 — Led party to big win in MP state assembly elections; was elected from Bara Malehra and became state’s first woman Chief Minister

2004 — Summons from Karanataka court in Tiranga case led to her resignation. She then launched a Tiranga Yatra

Had a dispute with national executive members during the yatra. She announced that she would take to penance, but then changed her mind. This is a common tactic employed by politicians to get sympathy for their cause.

Towards the end of November 2005, she again started a new political upheaval. With the consent of the top leaders of B.J.P, Babu Lal Gaur (the then chief minister of Madhya Pradesh) was removed from the post and Shivraj Singh Chauhaan was elected as the new chief minister of the state. This decision was taken overnight and when Babu Lal Gaur was informed, he did not contest it. However Uma Bharati took up the stance and when she did a lot of destruction to property resulted outside the office where the board meeting was being held. Uma Bharati was found to be the person responsible for starting the mess and encouraging her followers to engage in this indisciplined and chaotic behavior. She termed this accusation absolutely "Undemocratic". The party members found her guilty of gross misconduct and indiscipline and she was dismissed from the party on 2nd December 2005.

See also

• Ayodhya
• Ram Janmabhoomi movement
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad
• Hindutva
• Ram Roti Yatra
• www.ramrotiyatra.com