New Delhi, September 13
Former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana, whose expulsion from the BJP on September 8 had caused ripples within the party, today gave total credit for his return to party yesterday to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Talking to newspersons after a 30-minute meeting with Mr Vajpayee, the Delhi BJP leader said that in his letter he had expressed “regret” for making statements against Mr Advani during the past few months and not ‘apologised’ as reported in the media.
“Maine maafi nahin mangi hai, khali khed vyakt kiya hai (I have not apologised but only expressed regrets),” the Delhi BJP strongman said.
Mr Khurana was expelled by the party last week following the unanimous recommendations of the Central Disciplinary Committee headed by former Union Minister Ram Naik.
However, his primary membership was restored yesterday after Mr Vajpayee issued a statement that Mr Khurana, a veteran leader of the party, should be given one more opportunity to explain his side of the story. Mr Khurana too had submitted his letter expressing regret following which the party restored his membership.
It may take some time to restore his position both in the National Executive membership as well as his responsibility as party in charge in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
Breaking the ice after their five-day stand-off on the issue of Delhi strongman Madan Lal Khurana’s expulsion, Mr Advani today met Mr Vajpayee at his residence. The two top leaders are understood to have discussed the party’s national executive meeting in Chennai later this week.
