Bhusaval (Maharashtra): On her way to Hubli in Karnataka to surrender before a trial court in a riot case, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharati who faces a non-bailable arrest warrant (NBW), today (Aug 24, 2004) said the case was a "well-planned conspiracy" by Congress.

"How can Congress link me to violence? I am not connected to it in any way. The violence was incited by the Karnataka Police. This is not a communal issue," she said Bhusaval on her way to Hubli by the Goa Express.

Bharati, facing the NBW in a 1994 case vis-a-vis hoisting of the national flag at the disputed Idgah Maidan said, "To link the unfurling of the tricolour with violence, as Congress is doing, is a well-planned conspiracy."

To a question whether her interaction with BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) workers en route Hubli was "election politics", she said, "We are trying to create awareness among the workers. To call it election strategy is a rumour spread by Congress".

"This (interaction with BJP workers) is part of my 'jansampark andolan' (mass-contact programme) and if 'Ram ka nam' (holy name of Ram) and 'tirange ki shan' (the pride of the tricolour) is considered as communalism, then it would amount to an insult to the country," she said.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police S N Borkar said in Hubli that she would be arrested the moment she enters Karnataka.

Bharati is expected to reach Hubli tomorrow (Aug 25, 2004).

The District and Sessions Judge, Hubli, J M D'Cunha had yesterday (Aug 23, 2004) dismissed Bharati's plea to drop the charges against her in the case.