Uma Bharti

About Uma Bharti

Uma Bharti is an Indian politician belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Uma Bharti is known for her stringent religious beliefs and is popular as the 'sanyasin' politician. She played a key role in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement of Ayodhya. Presently, she is the Union Minister for Water Resources & Ganga Rejuvenation.

Personal background of Uma Bharti

Uma Bharti was born on May 3, 1959 in Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh to a religious Lodhi family of peasants. She has attended school up to sixth standard. She is unmarried. Some of her published writings are:

• Swami Vivekananda in 1972
• Peace of Mind in Africa in 1978
• Manav Ek Bhakti ka Naata in 1983

Political activities and achievements

• 1984: Contested Lok Sabha elections for the first time at the age of 25
• 1989, 1991, 1996 and 1998: Won in the Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency
• 1999: Won the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat
• 2003: Won the 2003 Madhya Pradesh assembly elections with 75% majority
• 2004: Suspended from the BJP following a public argument with senior BJP leader L.K. Advani
• 2006: Established her own party, Bharatiya Janshakti Party
• 2005: Her suspension was overturned. Appointed as a member of the national executive of the BJP.

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• 2005: She was excluded from the party as she was against the party’s decision to appoint Shivraj Singh Chauhan as the CM of Madhya Pradesh.
• 2011: Rejoined the BJP
• 2012: Won the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections from Charkhari constituency in Mahoba district.
• 2014: Elected to the Lok Sabha from Jhansi parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh
• 2014: Appointed the Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in the Narendra Modi-led union government

Positions held by Uma Bharti:

• 1988: Vice-president of BJP, Madhya Pradesh
• 1990: Member of Consultative Committee, Ministry of Agriculture
• 1990: Member of Consultative Committee, the Punjab State Legislature
• 1991-93: Member of Public Accounts Committee
• 1993: President of BJP Youth Wing
• 1996: Member of Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests
• 1998: Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development
• 1999: Union Minister of State for Tourism Department
• 2000: Union Cabinet Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports
• 2002: Union Cabinet Minister for Coal and Mines
• 2003: Member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly
• 2003: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
• 2012: elected MLA from Charkhari Seat, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly
• 2014: Uma Bharti became the Union Minister For Water Resources & Ganga Rejuvenation in the government of India.

Different Departments Held by Uma Bharti

• Human Resource Development
• Tourism
• Youth Affairs & Sports
• Coal & Mines

Controversies surrounding Uma Bharti

• August 2004: She resigned from the post of Chief Minister. An arrest warrant was issued against her in connection with the Hubli riot case of 1994.
• July 25, 2007: Bharti began a weekdays fast protesting against the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, saying that the bridge must be saved.
• November 2011: Uma Bharti opposed Walmart when the Government of India had decided to allow FDI in retail.
• Played a significant role in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement, popularizing the slogan, Ram lala Hum Aayenge, Mandir Wahin Banayenge meaning "Dear Ram we will come, and build temple at the place".