February 23, 1998

Uma Bharati
BJP

Khajuraho Madhya Pradesh
Electorate: 13.4 lakh
Main Rival: Shriram Kushawa (Congress)

She's late in hitting the road, emerging from her room, comb in hand, water dripping from her hair on to her saffron shoulders. Khajuraho's sexy sanyasin is keen to get a move on, for though she's won this seat thrice, this is her toughest election. As the BJP's Uma Bharati says, "Jai Shri Ram doesn't work here."

Last time she defeated her Congress rival by over 1.3 lakh votes. This time the opposition -- the SP, BSP and Congress -- is collectively trying to corner her. Forced to combat candidates from different castes, she's had to change her strategy. The 39-year-old toughie, who threatened to cut up a passer-by for whistling at her, is actually defensive as she takes the stage. Squatting on a chair, she says, "Don't listen to Digvijay Singh when he tells you to ask me what I have done in the past eight years. I have been an opposition MP. I will give him a reply after Vajpayeeji becomes prime minister."

The defensive posture doesn't last long. Soon she's back in form, bellowing stridently or amusing the crowd with her intelligent humour. She quips: "Get autographs and photographs with Sonia, but don't vote for the Congress." Later, having entered the nearest house and demanded food, she can't restrain herself and remarks, "I love south Indian food." Pause. "And south Indian men." An impish reference to Govindacharya? There's no time to laugh, for saffron robe gathered up, she's up and running. To another meeting. With another joke.

-- Harinder Baweja

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