Monday, March 20 2006 11:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Former Union Minister and Delhi BJP strongman Madan Lal Khurana today (Mar 20 2006) accused party chief Rajnath Singh of working under the influence of a "coterie" close to senior leader L K Advani.

Reacting to his suspension from BJP's primary membership, Khurana told sources "I quit as Delhi Chief Minister in 1996 on Advani's advice. And it was Advani again who asked me to resign as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee (on Defence) well before I was due to take oath as Rajasthan Governor in 2004."

"He (Advani) wanted me to be out of Delhi. But I will stand staunchly by the people of Delhi even if it means expulsion from the party."

Khurana said "Rajnath Singh is being guided by a coterie around Advani. He projected Kalyan Singh, who had rebelled against the party and pushed it down below Samajwadi Party and BSP in Uttar Pradesh, as BJP's chief ministerial candidate while a man like me who wants to work for the party has been constantly denied an opportunity to do so."

Khurana's comments come a day after his suspension from the party following his decision to join expelled leader Uma Bharti's 'Janadesh' rally tomorrow in the capital.