Wednesday, April 20 2005 15:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Amarkantak: Firebrand Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti today (Apr 20, 2005) extended an invitation to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee saying that since he (Vajpayee) had 'no work', he would better join her in 'tapasya'.

"Atalji ke paas abhi koi kaam nahin hai. Mere paas bhi koi kaam nahin hai (Atalji doesn't have any work at present. I also have no work)," Bharti said in Amarkantak.

"Let Atalji come here and we both 'baap-beti' (father-daughter) will perform 'tapsya'," the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said, a day before a spiritual function where she is scheduled to seek blessings from her Guru Swami Vishveshwara Teerth of Udipi.

The saffron-clad Sadhvi said that she would discuss hardships faced by her during her 13 years of sanyasin life with her Guru and seek his advice on whether to continue in politics.

On why she has not invited Chief Minister Babulal Gaur, Bharti said, "I have not invited anyone. Everyone has come on their own, out of their trust and reverence."

Assuring people of Madhya Pradesh that all promises made before BJP came to power in the State would be fulfilled, Uma said, "Whether I am in power or not, I will see to it that promises are kept."

Speculations are rife in the political circles about the next move by Uma, who arrived in Amarkantak a fortnight ago and observed silence and restricted diet.