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Patna : The Supreme Court (SC) order on April 19, 2017, allowing the CBI plea and restoring criminal conspiracy charges against top BJP leaders L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti in 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case, is a major setback to the party.
It may change equations in the party as the three senior BJP leaders will now have to face trial in the case to be concluded within two years. Advani is a former deputy PM while Joshi is a former union HRD minister. Uma Bharti, a firebrand leader, is a senior member of Modi cabinet. Advani and Joshi are among `mardarshak’ of the party.
Advani was among the probables for the post of President of India. A recent meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Advani had triggered speculations in this regard. Joshi was conferred on Padma Vibhushan award in January 2017. Both Advani and Joshi are former president of the BJP.
The SC, however, noted that Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, who was the chief minister of UP in 1992, enjoys constitutional immunity and can be tried only after he ceases to hold the office.