Friday, May 27 2005 08:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Having been virtually sidelined in the party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti yesterday (May 26, 2005) talked her heart out on the "hurt" she has suffered at the hands of her party colleagues as she likened herself to a "princess" who is killed by her own people in a movie.

The firebrand 'sanyasin', who sought to present a reformed softer version of herself at a press interaction in New Delhi, however, asserted that she would not quit politics despite all the problems.

She talked about prevalence of 'purushvadi' (male-dominated) mindset and clash between 'individual' and party.

"I am nothing. I want nothing for myself," said Uma, who for the first time was not clad in her typical saffron attire but in a ladies suit.

Apparently referring to the treatment meted out to her by the party leadership, the BJP leader recalled her recent 'ekantvas' (isolation) in Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and said, "I am like a princess of a movie who is killed by her own people."

She, however, made it clear that unlike the princess who dies at the age of 75 years, she will not wait till then.

Bharti said she was in politics as it was the viable way of helping the common, poor people.

Bharti, former BJP general secretary, has been in the wilderness since last December when she was suspended after challenging the authority of party leadership at a meeting in full media glare.

Although her suspension has since been withdrawn, she has not been given any party post even as she has been displaying a blow hot, blow cold attitude and sought her rehabilitation repeatedly.

'Dharam' (religion), she said, was only for the benefit of the rich.