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'I am not able to adjust to power politics'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI DEC. 20. "The continued deterioration in politics and the question mark over the credibility of politicians has forced me to take a decision to disassociate myself from the current political scenario for the time being. I am not able to adjust to the `power politics' that has come into play in the country during the last one decade,'' said the senior BJP leader and Lok Sabha member, Madan Lal Khurana, here today.

"The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, and the party president, Venkaiah Naidu, had offered me Governorship or Rajya Sabha nomination in case the party failed to make it in the Delhi Assembly polls. The offer was made almost one-and-a-half year ago at the national executive meeting held in Goa when I was asked to lead the party in Delhi,'' he revealed.

Moved by the constant flow of his supporters at his 3, Safdarjung Road residence urging him not to accept the Governorship and stay in Delhi, the former Chief Minister said he would have to do some re-thinking on the issue. "I will convey the sentiments of my supporters to the party leadership and then re-think on my plans. It is a very moving moment for me and I am confused over what line of action to take,'' he said trying to hold back his tears. The family members of Mr. Khurana too are not happy with his decision to "quit politics'' for the time being and move to Rajasthan.

Mr. Khurana acknowledged that he had been offered the gubernatorial post in Rajasthan that is presently lying vacant. However, it is learnt that Mr. Khurana had expressed his desire to go as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh as he had old friends in that State. The party spokesman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, was at pains to explain that Mr. Khurana was not being blamed for the party's defeat in the Assembly polls. The party is satisfied with the performance in the Assembly polls and there is no reason why this should be termed as a punishment for Mr. Khurana, he said. The veteran BJP leader was just taking time off from active politics and his return was not ruled out. However, the party is understood to have turned down the request of Mr. Khurana to make him in charge of some North Indian States in view of the Lok Sabha polls.

Asked when he would quit his Lok Sabha seat, Mr. Khurana said he would be going to Jammu and Kashmir from December 25 to 28 leading the Standing Committee on Defence. After this, he would put in his papers as a member of the Lok Sabha and also as the chairman of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). "I have told the party that I will not contest any more elections in Delhi. However, the pressure of the people is getting too much and I will have to sit back and think what could be done under the circumstances,'' he remarked.

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