Former Union minister and Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party strongman Madan Lal Khurana Monday accused party chief Rajnath Singh of working under the influence of a "coterie" close to senior leader Lal Kishenchand Advani.

• BJP suspends Madan Lal Khurana

Reacting to his suspension from BJP's primary membership, Khurana told PTI, "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 Bahujan Samaj Party 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 Tuesday in Delhi.

Khurana said he would announce the next course of action in four-five days.