Khurana firm on 'third person' formula for Delhi

Former Delhi chief minister Madan Lal Khurana on Monday urged the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership to ''honour'' its August 2 decision to appoint a third person as the chief minister in consultation with party legislators.

Khurana, who leaves on Monday night for an undisclosed destination for ''introspection'', said he could not reconcile to the fact that the party leaders had changed their decision under ''threat''.

''I have been punished even though I accepted the high command's decision, whereas Sahib Singh Verma, who opposed the formula, has been rewarded,'' he added.

He said he would ponder over whether he should retire from politics or withdraw his resignation as BJP vice-president in response to appeals made by party president L K Advani and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He confirmed that a man named Narender Tolia had met him on behalf of Gujarat Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela to ''join hands with him''. However, Khurana said he asked him to leave his house immediately, asking, ''How dare you approach me with such an offer? I have been in the RSS for the past 56 years and I will never leave my party.''

UNI

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