Khurana set to join BJP

Amitabh Shukla

New Delhi, March 27

Former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khuarana is set to join the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) anytime now. The central leadership of the party would make the announcement as decks have been cleared for his induction.

The former Delhi “strongman” has won a dozen elections from the Delhi and was the best known face of the saffron party before being expelled for “anti party” activities. He was critical of L.K. Advani and other BJP leaders and hurled one accusation after the other against them.

Delhi BJP sources said that Khurana approached the party for reinduction before the MCD polls in April last year. He was asked to wait for a while. However, Khurana joined Uma Bharti’s party and fielded candidates from over 200 seats. After failing to make a mark, he had political discussions for a possible tie-up with parties ranging from the Congress to the Bahujan Samaj Party.

“He had approached the senior leaders like Advani and party President Rajnath Singh more than six months ago and unconditionally apologized for whatever he had said in the past,” said a senior leader. The BJP central leadership asked for the comments of the Delhi unit of BJP before taking a decision. The Delhi unit too did not object to Khurana’s induction.

Party sources said that in the written apology, Khurana apparently said he would not aspire for any party post and keep away from Delhi politics. “When he took back whatever he had said and did not show any political ambition, we decided to clear his induction,” said the party source.

When contacted, Khuarana refused to comment on the issue. It will be the third time that the former Delhi CM, Union Minister and Rajasthan Governor would be inducted in the party. He was first expelled in August 2005 but taken back in the party after six months. He was again expelled in early 2006 and is still serving the suspension.

(2008)