Khurana to embark on 'Delhi Bachao' yatra from April 8

New Delhi, Apr 5 (UNI) Reiterating that he was ready to lay down his life for the sake of the people of Delhi, former Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana, in the forefront of protests against sealing of shops in residential areas, today announced that he would embark on a 'Delhi Bachao Yatra' from April 8 to convince the government to come out with an Ordinance to stop the ongoing operation.

Accompanying Mr Khurana on his 'Yatra', which is also aimed at mobilising people against the current sealing and demolition drive in the metropolis, would be firebrand leader Uma Bharti.

''Uma Bharti will accompany me in the 'yatra', which will begin from Sadar on Saturday at 1600 Hours. On the first day of the yatra, we will cover the Sadar and Chandni Chowk areas,''Mr Khurana told newspersons here.

The former chief minister said he would be visiting Ayodhya on April 7 before embarking on the yatra.

''"I am going to Ayodhya to take blessings from the Lord Ram for the success of "Save Delhi Sangarsh Yatra".

Referring to the wave of protests by several Congress and BJP leaders over the past few days demanding the Government to come out with an Ordinance for stopping the ongoing sealing operations, Mr Khurana, describing the protests as "too little and too late", said,''why did the BJP and the Congress not launch these protests earlier.'' Stating that he, as Chief Minister of Delhi in 1995, had publicly voiced his opposition to the Delhi Rent Control Act and announced that he would resign from Chief Ministership if the then Central Government did not withdraw the Act, Mr khurana said,''why can't the present Chief Minister do the same. If she is so serious about remving the present confusion arising out of the Supreme Court's order, why has'nt she met the Prime Minister and offered her resignation till an Ordinance is brought to bring relief to the Delhlites?'' Mr Khurana said he had forced the Centre not to enact the Delhi Rent Bill even after it had received the President's assent in 1995.

He was equally critical of the the BJP for its silence in the matter.

''First the party suspended its members for going on a hunger strike against demolitions and now the same party leaders are going on the streets to protest the sealing operations. My question is, why could they not do it earlier,''Mr Khurana said.

UNI AR PA RS1857