BJP leader Gautam appeals to Advani to review BJP-INLD alliance

Chandigarh, Oct 26 (UNI) Haryana BJP legislature party leader Ram Kumar Gautam's appeal to review the party's alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has come as an embarrassment for the BJP high command which announced the tie-up recently despite the reported opposition of the state leadership.

Releasing to the media his letter to senior BJP leader L K Advani earlier this week, Mr Gautam had not only appealed to Mr Advani to revoke the alliance but also warned him that the people of Haryana would not forgive him if he did not revoke the decision.

Mr Gautam claimed that majority of the BJP workers and the people in Haryana were against the tie-up with the INLD as 90 per cent of the people in the state ''hated'' INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala.

He claimed that the BJP would not be able to garner even a single Lok Sabha seat in the coming Parliamentary elections if it contested the polls in alliance with the INLD.

Mr Gautam reminded Mr Advani that the INLD supremo had an understanding with the BJP in Haryana in 2000 assembly elections also but after becoming the Chief Minister, he had ''humiliated'' the BJP leaders in the state.

Haryana BJP chief Atam Prakash Manchanda meanwhile, maintained that the alliance decision was taken by the high command and the state leadership would abide by it.

Asked if the state leadership was contemplating any action against Mr Gautam for publicly going against the party line, Mr Manchanda said it was only the BJP high command which could take such a decision.

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