RSS chief meets Advani

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Rashtriya Seva Sangh (RSS) chief
Mohan Bhagwat Saturday stepped up efforts to rescue Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) from its current crisis by possibly
discussing a road map ahead as he held hectic parleys with L K
Advani and top leaders including Murli Manohar Joshi.

There were indications that BJP could come out with
some statement Sunday but Sangh Parivar sources said nothing
spectacular could be expected.

After overnight discussions with BJP leaders close to
Advani, Bhagwat this morning significantly drove to the
residence of Joshi, a known detractor of Advani. RSS chiefs
are rarely known to have visited houses of BJP leaders.

Advani, who is under pressure from rebels on his
continuance as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, later drove
to the RSS office in Jhandewalan in central Delhi and was
closetted with him for 90 minutes.

Amidst reports that Advani may be asked to step down and
that various names are being considered for succeeding him
as well as the new president for the party, both RSS and the
BJP maintained that they were not discussing any succession
plan.

RSS said Bhagwat and BJP leaders were discussing the
state of affairs in the party and assessing whether Sangh's
help was needed.

"All discussions taking place here are in respect to the
condition of the party (BJP). RSS leaders are exchanging notes
(with BJP) whether there is any need for Sangh to extend some
support to them," RSS spokesman Ram Madhav told reporters
here.

For the record, he insisted that no succession plan for
BJP was being discussed.

"RSS has no policy to give directions to vacate or occupy
a post. Such news are rumours. There are no succession plans
being planned in Jhandewalan (RSS office)", he said.

Sushma Swaraj, whose name is doing the rounds for the
post of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, met Advani before
and after his meeting with Bhagwat.

The meetings came a day after RSS stepped in to resolve
BJP's crisis. BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, Venkaiah Naidu, Arun
Jaitley and Ananth Kumar met Bhagwat last evening after which
they briefed Advani on their discussions with the RSS chief.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar also insisted that "No
resignation or leadership change was discussed" during the
meetings that Bhagwat had with the party leaders.

"You won't see these things... There was no mention
about either leadership change or resignations by some
leaders. BJP will chart out its own course of action and will
continue its fight on behalf of the masses on the issues of
national and public importance," he told reporters.

Bhagwat had yesterday said RSS would "help and advise"
only if BJP will ask for it. He expressed confidence that the
party will "emerge from the crisis". PTI NAB
DDC