The Hindu : New Delhi News : Khurana blows hot and cold again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 25, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Khurana blows hot and cold again

Staff Reporter

Softening stand against BJP leadership shows keenness to rejoin party

BACK GEAR: Suspended BJP leader Madan Lal Khurana at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI: Indicating a softening of stand following his utterances against senior party leaders and "power brokers" in the party, former Delhi Chief Minister and suspended BJP leader Madan Lal Khurana on Friday refused to talk "politics", saying that he had given word to very senior party leader that he would not speak on controversial issues till the end of this month.

Mr. Khurana, suspended from the party on March 19 for speaking out against senior party leaders including L.K. Advani, once again indicated that he was seeking a possible return to the saffron party, a repeat of what he had done in September 2005. At that time Mr. Khurana had lashed out at Mr. Advani for his Jinnah remarks and was suspended from the party. He was taken back after he regretted his action and tendered an apology.

"Do not ask me political questions. I have given word to a very senior BJP leader that I will not speak anything about politics or party affairs till April 1. Just wait for some more time," he told reporters at a press conference here.

Mr. Khurana denied having received any show-cause notice from the party. "Where does the question of my response to the party's notice arise when I have not even received it?" he said.

The disgruntled BJP leader was in the forefront at the "Janadesh" rally organised by expelled BJP leader Uma Bharti at Ramlila Grounds here earlier this week. Asked about his presence at Ms. Bharti's rally, Mr. Khurana said on Friday that he was there because Ms. Bharti was supporting his fight against the ongoing demolition drive in Delhi.

While refusing to talk "politics or about any individual", Mr. Khurana made no attempt to hide his opposition to Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan.

Deploring the suspension of his close aide and Hari Nagar MLA Harsharan Singh Balli from the BJP, Mr. Khurana accused the State leaderships of both the Congress and the BJP of having failed to protect the people's interest on the demolition issue.

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