RSS chief meets Advani, BJP rules out second term for Rajnath

New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) Seeking to rescue Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) from its current leadership crisis, the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday held high-level
confabulations when its chief Mohan Bhagwat met L K Advani for
the second time in two days and declared that the party
leadership has assured to resolve problems amicably while the
party ruled out removal of Advani as Leader of the Opposition.

The BJP also ruled out another term for its President
Rajnath Singh whose three-year term ends this December.

Highly placed party sources said Bhagwat was reportedly
not in favour of some high-profile names, that cropped up from
the Advani camp, as successor to Rajnath Singh. The RSS chief
is believed to be in favour of someone who is acceptable to
all sections of the party.

Bhagwat, who wound up his three-day mission, drove to
Advani's house for a breakfast meeting after which the RSS
declared that "it is assured that the BJP leadership as a
party will stand united, overcome all challenges, resolve the
problems and emerge stronger".

On the leadership crisis, RSS Joint General Secretary
Madandas Devi, who accompanied Bhagwat in the breakfast
meeting, told reporters at Advani's residence that Bhagwat has
said at his Friday press conference that the BJP leaders will
discuss and decide the issue.

"We have been given an assurance that the BJP leaders
will discuss and resolve problems and we believe that,"
Madandas said.

Hours later, party spokesman Prakash Javadekar and
senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu told the media separately that
Advani would continue to lead the party.

Javadekar said in Delhi Rajnath Singh would not get an
extension. The party constitution does not give a second
consecutive term to the incumbent. (MORE) PTI