Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur (file photo) | Photo Credit: PTI

Bhopal: A day after exit polls predicted a victory for Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur in Bhopal, the Madhya Pradesh government is planning to reopen an old case against the BJP candidate. Talking to Times Now channel, state Law Minister PC Sharma said that the government will appeal in a higher court to reopen the Sunil Joshi murder case in which Thakur is an accused.

Thakur was fielded by BJP against Congress heavyweight Digvijaya Singh. Also an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Thakur is currently out on bail. "Thakur's remarks on Gandhi were uncalled for. We are appealing in a higher court against her acquittal," Sharma told Times Now channel.

Pragya Singh Thakur along with seven others was acquitted by 2007 murder case of RSS pracharak Sunil Joshi. Joshi, also known as Guruji, was shot dead by bike-borne assailants in Chuna Khadan area of Dewas in Madhya Pradesh. He was reportedly evading arrest for his alleged role in the murder of a Congress leader.

Thakur's nomination had invited severe criticism from the opposition parties who targetted the BJP over Thakur's alleged involvement in the 2008 Malegaon blast. The BJP top brass including PM Narendra Modi as well as party chief Amit Shah, however, fiercely defended her nomination.

Her comments that Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare was killed due to her 'curse' stirred a massive political row. Most recently, her reference to Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, as 'patriot' invited the ire of PM Narendra Modi who said that he won't be able to 'forgive' her for the remarks.