Few political graphs can match the highs and lows that have marked the journey of the fiery sanyasin. ‘Volatile’ has always been her middle name. In just a decade, she saw it all. Post-Ayodhya glory as the “giant-slayer” who ended Digvijay Singh’s decade-long reign with an unheard-of two-thirds majority. A sedate Union cabinet stint. Dramatic, petulant ego fights. Political destitution. And the unflattering epithet of “rehabilitated neta”, after a difficult ghar vapasi.
It took the BJP six long years to forgive Uma Bharati’s many public rebellions. The first was in 2004, against state rival Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was the natural choice for CM when an arrest warrant was issued against Uma in the Hubli case. Then came the shocking televised tantrum against ‘loh purush’ L.K. Advani—after his Jinnah turn. That earned her a year-long suspension, showcauses and finally, when the stormy petrel wouldn’t be calmed, an expulsion. During her vanvas, she tried it all: invoke Ram (without again offering...
THIS ARTICLE IS PRICELESS...
To read this piece, and more such stories in India's most exciting and exacting magazine, plus get access to our 25-year archives goldmine, please subscribe.
