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Khurana to go on fast-unto-death

Former Delhi chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party vice-president Madan Lal Khurana Monday announced his decision to go on a fast-unto-death in protest against the 'unlawful' sealing of small-scale industries in the capital.

Addressing a press conference, the Member of Parliament from Delhi said the date of the fast would be decided by the action committee of the Laghu Udyog Sangharsh Samiti on Tuesday. The fast-onto-death would be preceded by a two-week-long 'Nyay Yatra', the date for which would also be decided Tuesday.

He said the Nyay Yatra would be undertaken to convince the people about the reasons forcing him to go on the fast.

Khurana said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Union Home Minister L K Advani and Bharatiya Janata Party President Bangaru Laxman have been intimated about the decision.

The senior BJP leader said after all meeting with the prime minister and others, 'Jail Bharo' abhiyan and protest march failed, he was left with no choice but to proceed on a fast-onto-death.

''I am hurt that the decision taken at the meeting of Delhi MPs with the prime minister has not been implemented,'' he said adding that his and the party's credibility has been adversely affected due to the indifferent attitude of the government.

In a letter to the prime minister, Khurana said, ''Your (Vajpayee's) court was the last resort of justice for the people of Delhi. But I am not only disappointed but also hurt. It is beyond my imagination that the BJP has no concern for the feelings of Delhiites.''

Khurana said the decision has been taken after a deep thought and failure of all his efforts to make the authorities see reason behind the need to suspend the sealing operation.

Charging the Delhi government of playing politics with the people of the capital, he said the Supreme Court had directed the government only to 'close' the industries and not seal them.

''Closure means suspension of production of the product, while sealing is an infringement of the right of property of a person,'' he said.

He also demanded that the decisions taken at the meeting of Delhi MPs with the prime minister in November be implemented. The meeting had decided to clearly define polluting units and that industries would be closed only after allocation of alternative sites.

Besides, the meeting had also decided that the Delhi government would request the Supreme Court for more time and the Centre should support the request and the Delhi Master Plan be amended.

UNI

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