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This Article is From Aug 25, 2009

After Jaswant, is it now Arun Shourie's turn?

New Delhi: After Jaswant Singh, is it now Arun Shourie's turn to be thrown out of the BJP? This seems almost certain after the former disinvestment minister has launched a no holds-barred attack on the top leadership including party president Rajnath Singh and L K Advani. He had particularly harsh words for Rajnath, calling him "Alice in Blunderland".

BJP sources have told NDTV that after his outburst Shourie's expulsion from the party is imminent.

They say that Shourie was anticipating action against him that is why has chosen to speak out like this.

BJP sources also say Shourie is upset because his Rajya Sabha term is ending.

They say that Shourie's comments are totally unacceptable.


Meanwhile, Arun Shourie has dared the BJP to expel him after his scathing attack on the top leadership in an exclusive interview to NDTV. Speaking to reporters on Monday night, Shourie accused the BJP brass of making the party their private property and said that its unwillingness to listen that left him with no option but to speak out in public.

NDTV has learnt that the formula to give Vasundhara Raje an honourable exit from Rajasthan has not worked out because party president Rajnath Singh has not accepted her conditions. In turn, party sources say she has refused to step down as well.

Raje wants her successor in Rajasthan, that is the Leader of Opposition to be a person of her choice. She also wants a plum post in the party, that of a General Secretary and the suspension of two MLAs loyal to her to be revoke.d

Dissenting voices out of BJP

Jaswant Singh,  Sudheendra Kulkarni, Yashwant Sinha - three top BJP leaders who were with the party for not less than 25 years are out of the BJP.

Sudheendra Kulkarni, close aid of Advani and party strategist quit the BJP, citing 'ideological difference'.

Kulkarni said there was no difference between Jaswant's characterisation of Jinnah and Advani's.

Yashwant Sinha quit all party positions after the BJP's election loss.

Yashwant said the BJP was reluctant to introspect comprehensively and openly.

Jaswant Singh then sacked for writing book on Jinnah.

Jaswant said he was called Hanuman, treated like Ravana.

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