Delhi meri mandir hai aur mai iska pujaari hun (Delhi is my temple and I am its priest) was the famous quote of the former Chief Minister of Delhi Madan Lal Khurana. Coming from a humble background, Khurana often referred as 'Delhi Ka Sher' by his peers, rose to occupy the high offices of Chief Minister and Union Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Cabinet. He also served as Governor of Rajasthan.
Softspoken Khurana led the Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during 10 years rule by the Congress from 1980 to 1989. He waged a lone battle against Congress after Rajiv Gandhi led Congress to an unprecedented 415 seats in the Lok Sabha in the aftermath of the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Khurana’s death is an irreparable loss for BJP. He was "One Man Army" and known for his stand. Khurana kept party united during the evolution of State BJP in 1993.
Speaking to The Pioneer, all weather friend of Khurana, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, a senior BJP leader recalled days of several yatras and rallys on cycle/motor cycle. Days were different when triumvirate of Kedarnath Sahni, Professor Malhotra and Khurana were at upfront during early days of BJP. "O yes..! things have been difficult for me , as Khurana's morning wakeup call was an alarm for me. From party office to daily routines , Khurana was an indispendable part of my life," said Malhotra.
Khurana won Lok Sabha elections in 1989 and 1991 and built up the momentum for Assembly polls in national Capital in 1993.
"Khurana played crucial role in the success of the Rath Yatra, was led by LK Advani in 1992 during the Ramjanambhommi movement. At time the Assembly witnessed huge supporters welcoming Advaniji.. ," said Malhotra recalling days of the movement.
In the BJP parlance, Khurana held a sway over Punjabis and Vaishya communities. "I know, Khurana's long visits in narrow streets of old Delhi ..but the strong leader met every shop owner irrespective of community," adding, "During morning walk, we discussed politics," said Malhotra.
"Our days started with a bundle of newspapers.. Party news were our diet with morning tea.. I was general secretary when Khurana was party president in Delhi.. our long hour discussion primarily on how to strengthen BJP in Delhi with the support of locals," said Malhotra. Whenever heart wrenching stories of partition was discussed in party office, Khurana used to narrate his memories, he added.
Khuarna was born on October 15, 1936 in Lyallpur, Faisalabad (old Punjab) of the undivided India. His family moved to India after the partition was announced between Indian and Pakistan . He had then arrived at Lalitpur- Jhansi with his family. After finishing school, Khurana joined the Allahabad University, he became General Secretary of the Allahabad University Students Union and got associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).