Uma Bharati will not fight Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli

New Delhi: Asserting that the party will field “formidable” candidates from Amethi (Rahul Gandhi’s constituency) and Rae Bareli (Sonia Gandhi’s constituency), the BJP on Friday put to rest all speculation around fielding Uma Bharti in the Congress president’s traditional seat. This came after the firebrand saffron leader asserted that she “cannot leave Jhansi” from where she has already been nominated.

“As far as Uma Bharti is concerned, she will contest from Jhansi,” BJP spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi said. He said that candidates for Rae Bareli as well as Amethi, where Rahul Gandhi is contesting, are yet to be finalised.

There was speculation that the party was considering fielding Ms Bharti from Rae Bareli against Mrs Gandhi. The speculation gathered momentum after yoga guru Ramdev suggested it two days back.

“I am thankful to Baba Ramdev for the proposal. But I cannot leave my Jhansi,” she said.