Sunday, April 17 2005 11:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhopal: Apparently encouraged by Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) backing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti among "brilliant" party leaders who can replace Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani, her supporters are gearing up for a show of strength when she emerges from the forests in Amarkantak after Navaratra next week.

While Chief Minister Babulal Gaur, who succeeded Bharti in August last year (2004), said that she "is on a personal tour", State BJP president Kailash Joshi said that any move for show of strength is "meaningless" and Ministers, MLAs and party workers should refrain from taking part in the function planned at Amarkantak.

"It is not a party function. Those asking me are being told not to participate in it," Joshi said.

Joshi said that BJP's top brass, including chief Advani, have made it quite clear that there would be no change of guard in Madhya Pradesh and Gaur's rule would continue to ensure stability together with development.

Notwithstanding a warning issued by BJP leaders against any form of dissidence against the Gaur Government while ruling out change of guard, observers feel a whiff of cold war often sweeps the political arena triggering speculation about new moves by the Bharti camp.

After the much-talked about tea party hosted by Bharti recently for BJP MLAs loyal to her and her dinner plan, which was reportedly spiked by party higher-ups, the former Chief Minister kept herself away from party's silver jubilee celebrations in Delhi and took solace in religious pursuits at Amarkantak.

"A large number of her (Bharti's) supporters are likely to gather at the picturesque Amarkantak where Umaji's guru from Udipi, who had solemnised her as a sanyasin, is to deliver discourses on April 21," former State Minister Sunil Nayak, sacked by Gaur after staging a virtual revolt, said.

"Wherever Umaji goes, she normally attracts a crowd of 3000-4000 and on a special occasion like the one going to be held at Amarkantak, some 40,000 people should gather to have a glimpse of their leader and listen to her," Nayak said.