Madan Lal Khurana taken into preventive custody

New Delhi, Apr 10: Delhi former Chief Minister and BJP suspended leader Madan Lal Khurana, along with 70 supporters, was today taken into preventive custody as he stepped out from his residence at Kirti Nagar, in West Delhi.

Mr Khurana, who is spearheading a Delhi Bachao Campaign against the ongoing demolition and sealing drive in the metropolis, was leaving for the week-long Rath Yatra, launched on April 8, against the Supreme Court-ordered action.

The veteran politician told UNI that if the UPA Government did not bring in an ordinance within 48 hours to stop the MCD drive, he would sit on an indefinite dharna at the Prime Minister's residence here.

According to sources, the MCD was to undertake demolition and sealing of illegal shops and commercial complex as per the Court order in the Kirti Nagar Area where the house of Mr Khurana is situated. Fearing his presence at the demolition site may flare up the situation, he was advised to stay indoors. This however did not deter him and as Mr Khurana was leaving for the third day of his Rath Yatra, he was picked up.

Mr Khurana, who had joined hands with the BJP expelled leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief MInister Uma Bharti, had yesterday announced his return to active politics after a gap of about five years.

At a joint press conference, Ms Bharti, describing Mr Khurana as the real leader of Delhi, had said that her proposed party would project Mr Khurana as chief ministerial candidate in the next assembly elections in Delhi.

UNI