Asked about his next step, Jaswant Singh said: 'My political life has not ended as yet. It is very sad that I have been expelled from the party. I think that we seriously need to think about the morality of today's politics, analyse and should write about it. I have accepted the party decision with pain.'

He, however, said he didn't regret writing the book.

'Regret? Why would I regret five years of labour. I have written what is my reading of that painful period of history. I am convinced in my mind I have committed no sin, none whatsoever against India.'

'They (BJP leaders) have not even read it completely. I have sent a copy of the English and Hindi (versions) to (party veteran L.K.) Advani before the release.'

Asked if his expulsion was a result of his calling for introspection in the party after its electoral loss, he said: 'I don't want to comment anything on this. I am not a member of the party. I had prepared a three page document (about the party's condition).

'Then I was told that a discussion on it will be done in the chintan baithak. I had not showed that to even my family or friends... It seems people felt troubled by my book.'

Jaswant Singh, however, refused to comment when asked if the decision on him was harsher as compared to the one taken against Advani when the latter made a statement on Jinnah. He said: 'It is the party's right. They can take whatever decision they want.'

Replying to a question on whether there was space for political discourse and dissent in the party, a shaken Jaswant Singh said: 'I don't want to take my own personal example. But there ought not to be selectivity in addressing the question of dissent and discussion.'