Madan Lal Khurana Remembered: BJP Salutes Delhi's Vikas Purush
New Delhi, October 27: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday remembered former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana on his death anniversary, with senior leaders offering their tributes to a figure seen as a pillar of the party's growth in the capital.
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra, Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta and MLA Harish Khurana paid their respects. Their remarks focused on Khurana's development work, his principled politics and his lifelong dedication to public service.
Malhotra hailed Khurana as Delhi's development man. He said Khurana laid the groundwork for visionary projects such as flyovers, water supply upgrades and sewer system reforms, adding that the city still benefits from these initiatives.
Malhotra explained that during Khurana's tenure as Chief Minister, flyover plans were drawn up to decongest the city, drinking water pipelines were targeted for remodelling and efforts were made to strengthen the sewer network. Malhotra stated that Khurana conceived these plans and also started putting them into action.
He added that many of these schemes were later implemented by the Congress government. Malhotra also said Khurana began acting on a number of his 1993 election promises within two and a half years, showing a strong commitment to delivery.
Malhotra stressed Khurana's integrity, noting that he stepped down as Chief Minister when his name came up in a diary controversy. Malhotra said that Khurana's conduct continues to offer guidance to party workers across the country.
Gupta, who was once a student of Khurana, said that Khurana often remarked that the people of Delhi, numbering around 1.5 crore, were like deities to him and that he was merely a priest serving them. Gupta said this spirit of service defined Khurana's career.
Gupta recalled Khurana's view that political differences were natural but animosity should never exist. He said Khurana consistently sought dialogue and consensus with all parties and fought for Delhi's people at every level of public office.
The Speaker described Khurana as a symbol of struggle who never sat idle. Gupta said Khurana's journey from the student council to Parliament, the Union Cabinet, the Chief Minister's office and the Opposition was marked by constant effort.
Gupta also pointed out that Khurana had arranged for Ganga water to be available for last rites at Nigambodh Ghat. He said the Modi-led BJP government was now working for Delhi's development in line with the vision Khurana had for the city.
Harish Khurana, marking the eighth death anniversary of his father, said Khurana was known as a popular leader of Delhi. He noted that the Metro initiative began under Khurana's leadership in 1993 and was later carried forward by Sheila Dikshit and other governments.
Harish Khurana said his father had worked for slum dwellers, service settlements, colonies and unauthorised colonies alike, which earned him the titles of development man and lion of Delhi. He expressed gratitude to the people of Moti Nagar and said he would keep walking his father's path.