7 more attempt self-immolation over Khurana issue

Seven people, including four women, attempted self-immolation in two separate incidents at former chief minister Madan Lal Khurana's home in Delhi on Saturday.

The attempts were, however, foiled by the police who took the seven -- municipal councillor Usha Mehta, advocate Nalini Singh, Santosh Yadav, Kamla Sharma, Ramesh Mehta, slum leaders Raju Khan and Heera Lal -- into custody.

The seven were protesting against the BJP leadership's decision to retain Sahib Singh Verma as Delhi chief minister. Upset by the decision, Khurana resigned as the party's vice-president on Thursday.

A visibly perturbed Khurana, who had called a media conference at his home to make a ''special'' announcement, deferred it in view of the incidents. He said the atmosphere was surcharged and he did not want his announcement to add fuel to the fire.

Khurana said he had decided to go away from Delhi for four or five days to mull over his political future. On his return, he said he would contact party president L K Advani and leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for answers to his queries. His future would be decided by their views, he said.

''Even if I retire from politics I would like to make it clear that I will not be another (Gujarat Chief Minister Shankarsinh) Vaghela. I never dreamt of floating a regional party. The BJP is my mother and how can I change my mother?... When I die my body must be wrapped in the BJP flag,'' an emotional Khurana said.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's emissary Baldev Singh Mann, general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, met Khurana on Saturday. Badal said the Akali Dal had appealed to both Khurana and the BJP leadership to reconsider their decision in the interests of Hindu-Sikh unity, citing Khurana's contribution in bringing together the Akali Dal and the BJP in Punjab.

UNI

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