Thursday, September 8 2005 14:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: New Delhi:8 (PTI) In a surprise move, former Prime Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Sept 8, 2005) opposed former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana's expulsion from the party terming it as 'unfortunate'.

He said it would have been better if Khurana was given another opportunity to clarify his stand.

In a statement, Vajpayee said Khurana has served the party and society selflessly for four decades and spread its message far and wide.

Referring to the charge of anti-party activities levelled against Khurana, the former PM said, "It would have been better if instead of action being taken against him, he was given one more opportunity to clarify his stand."

Khurana said he met former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former party chief Jana Krishnamurthy yesterday (Sept 7, 2005) and would meet other central leaders of the party before taking a final decision.

Claiming that situation in the party has 'deteriorated from a family atmosphere to that of a private limited company,' Khurana said he had sought time to meet Advani thrice after Jinnah controversy but was not granted the same.

"There is now dictatorial attitude in the party," he told hundreds of supporters, adding "I am very sad and under great tension because of the expulsion".

Khurana alleged that Advani has been surrounded by a group of people "Who give him advise sitting in air-conditioned rooms and who want me to be pushed to the back". However, he did not take any names.

Khurana recalled decades of his association with the Sangh Parivar and how BJP once functioned as a family.

"Once when I was angry with the party for not making me Chief Minister, Vajpayee and Advani had themselves come to mollify me. But today I am not even given time by Advani to meet him", he said.

The meeting was attended by three of 20 BJP MLAs Harsharan Singh Balli, Dayanand Chandela and Subhash Sachdeva.

Several leaders of the Akali Dal, Gurudwara Committees, Muslim organisations and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh were also present.

Recalling his recent meeting with Khurana, Vajpayee had expressed hope that keeping in view his services to BJP, the party would give him another opportunity to serve it.

Advani had yesterday accepted the recommendation of the party's Central Disciplinary Committee to expel Khurana for six years on charges of indiscipline.

Khurana was suspended from the party on August 20 and as how-cause notice seeking his reply within 10 days was served to him on August 22.

On August 29, Khurana sought more time to respond to the charges levelled against him.