The issue of Delhis chief ministership was opened once again with Bharatiya Janata Party president L K Advanis statement yesterday that he has not applied his mind to the affairs of the partys Delhi unit, which I shall do so after the conclusion of the Yatra on July 15.
Advanis statement is likely to lead to intensified lobbying between followers of former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana and Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma.
Khurana wants the post back now that the hawala charges against him have been dropped.
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Khurana is telling his followers that the issue was not settled and Sahib Singh Verma was only an interim Chief Minister. Advani had earlier stated that there was no question of a change but appears to have had second thoughts.
Since his acquittal, Khurana has said that Delhis MLAs wanted him to be the Chief Minister. However, he has maintained that he would be bind by the party high commands decision.
The Bharatiya Janata Party presidents statement came in response to reports in a section of the print media that said that Advani discussed Delhis affairs with party vice-president KL Sharma and general secretary Kushabhau Thakre on June 5 at Rajkot. Advani contradicted the report saying that my colleagues came to see me at Rajkot on their own for routine consultations.
The report had suggested that Advani decided against any change in Delhi.
His statement is naturally a shot in the arm for Khurana as it has at least kept the option of chief ministership open for Khurana. His supporters had started realising that Vermas chief ministership was a fait accompli for the party high command. Advanis recent statements had also indicated that the party was in no mood to disturb the present arrangement in Delhi.
Party vice-president KL Sharma, who is close to Verma, refused to comment on Advanis statement. Khurana was not available for comment. Party general secretary Sushma Swaraj, who released Advanis statement, said the statement preceded all other statements of Advani on Delhis affairs.