Demanding 'disciplinary action' against Bharatiya Janata Party president L K Advani, party leader Uma Bharti said on Monday that she would file a petition on Tuesday, before the BJP disciplinary committee against her expulsion.
Launching a scathing assault against Advani, she said, "He is liable to disciplinary action for his remarks in favour of Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Advani has hurt the feelings of people and party workers alike, as well as lowered the nation's dignity."
She said that she would chalk out her course of action only after receiving the reply from disciplinary committee chairman Ram Naik. "Till then, my Ram-Roti padyatra will continue, as it is an apolitical venture," Bharti added.
"I do not accept the Parliamentary board's decision and do not consider myself to be out of the BJP because I am the BJP and several lakh party workers are alongside me," she added.
Bharti said that she would raise three questions in her petition.
"Is the BJP president above party discipline," she asked, while accusing Advani of indiscipline by describing Jinnah as secular and saying, "I salute Jinnah."
"By doing so, he has sullied the dignity of several citizens and the party itself. Advani should apologise to the nation," Bharti alleged.
Responding to a media query on whether she would float a new outfit, Bharti reiterated that she would 'live and die' with the BJP, which followed the ideology of Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyay. She added that she would not discuss any such issue until the conclusion of her padyatra.
"In a recent programme hosted by a certain national daily, Advani again praised Jinnah. The party president himself crossed the limits and violated discipline. I had asked Advani to quit, else the BJP would be in shambles. The Jinnah issue has caused a colossal loss to the party," she added.
Bharti reiterated her charge that the BJP has been 'hijacked' by a few leaders who were holding the top brass hostage.
