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Khurana retires from active politics

Staff Reporter

Not to contest any elections in future; will not stake claim for any post

NEW DELHI: Former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khuarna, who has been at loggerheads with the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership in Delhi and at the national level, announced on Friday his retirement from active politics and launched "Poorvanchal Kranti Sangh", a non-political outfit that will take up issues relating to the migrant population from Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of West Bengal.

Mr. Khurana announced his decision in the presence of actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha and former MP and president of the newly launched Sangh, Kirti Azad. "I will not contest any election in future. I will not stake claim for any post in future. I will serve the people of Delhi. I have decided to take up this new cause to ensure adequate representation in the share of power for the people of Poorvanchal," he said.

Interestingly, contrary to expectations, Nationalist Congress Party MLA Ramvir Singh Bidhuri did not turn up for the event while former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar sent a message of blessings to the new outfit.

The launch of the non-political front saw a good presence of leaders of various Poorvanchal organisations of the Capital.

Mr. Azad announced that the Sangh would have 16 offices in the Capital where people from these regions could lodge their complaints on wide-ranging issues. He said it was high time the segment that had a considerable presence in Delhi and mattered a lot in the electoral battles was given its due share in power and its voice was heard. He said efforts were already on to enlist support of other leaders to consolidate the Sangh and lay the foundations for securing the rights of the people of Poorvanchal.

Later, Mr. Sinha -- who has stayed away from campaigning in Bihar -- admitted that he was in a "protest mode" against his party because of his opposition to "criminalisation" within the organisation. The BJP leadership was required to address the problem of criminalisation of politics within the party with urgency, especially in the light of party president L.K. Advani's own remarks on the issue.

Asked whether he would campaign in Bihar during the third and fourth phase of polling, he said there was need for clarifications on a range of issues. Till that comes, it would not be appropriate for him to go to Bihar during elections, he added. "The matter is between Mr. Advani and me. I have requested him to consider certain issues. I admit it is a silent, dignified and disciplined protest."

Mr. Sinha also brushed aside suggestions that he was upset with the BJP leadership for not projecting him as the Chief Ministerial candidate in Bihar. "The party is not in a position to stake claim to the top job. We are a junior partner in the coalition contesting only 102 seats," he remarked.

However, he said he could foresee Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar becoming a competent and excellent Chief Minister.

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