Khurana goes the Uma way, launches party

Despite recent feelers from the BJP to return to its fold, former Delhi chief minister Madan Lal Khurana today announced the launch of his own party — Delhi Vikas Mahasangh. Talking to reporters here, he said his party would serve as a platform for all mass leaders sidelined by the BJP. ‘‘Since I have decided not to join the BJP, I will expose the leaders who have ruined it and made huge money,’’ he added.

Khurana, who resigned from the BJP in April following his suspension from the party he has been associated with since the Jan Sangh days, said he had appointed Sangh veteran Rajendra Gupta as president of the outfit. Delhi legislator Dayanand Chandela has been named the secretary-general. ‘‘The Mahasangh — a non-BJP, non-Congress and non-communist organisation — will offer platform to all established BJP leaders who have been sidelined by the party leadership since 1998,’’ Khurana said.

He said the party would function as a non-political organisation for six months initially and then ‘‘it would take a full-fledged political role, two months ahead of Delhi’s municipal elections’’.

Story continues below this ad

Khurana also announced plans to launch a third front at the national level, primarily to oppose the BJP, in winter.

‘‘This Mahasangh in Delhi is a precursor to a third front that will be launched in winter. I am in talks with different non-BJP, non-Congress parties for setting up a third front,’’ he said.