New Delhi:
The crisis within the BJP caused by the resignation of its senior most leader, LK Advani, seems to be nearing a settlement. Mr Advani spoke to Mohan Bhawgwat, the head of the BJP's powerful ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, and is expected to meet BJP chief Rajnath Singh soon.
Here are the latest developments:
Senior leaders have been visiting Mr Advani's residence, among them BJP vice-president Uma Bharti who said she was confident the party patriarch would come around. "Advani ji is like a father to the BJP, he will not go away from the party." She also said, "Narendra Modi is like a son to Advani ji... he has a lot of love for him."
Mr Advani will reportedly be assured, in a meeting with BJP president Rajnath Singh this evening, that Mr Modi's new position will not be followed by his selection as the party's prime ministerial candidate. (Track updates)
Senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who also called on Mr Advani today, said the questions he has raised in his resignation letter must be addressed by the party. "Most leaders of ours are now concerned just with their personal agendas," Mr Advani wrote in his letter to Rajnath Singh.
Mr Singh has refuted reports that the tension is being exacerbated by the party's powerful ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh or RSS. "What is being said about the Sangh is not correct," Mr Singh said this morning.
The RSS has reportedly instructed the BJP that while it's important to win back Mr Advani, no compromise should be offered on the new VVIP status given to Mr Modi.
The Odisha BJP has passed a resolution at its state-level executive supporting the decision to appoint Mr Modi as the chairman of the party's election campaign committee.
Odisha's Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has told NDTV that while what the BJP does is its internal matter, Mr Modi is not an acceptable leader at the national level. (Watch)
Mr Modis' many fans in the BJP see his promotion this week as a step towards his being named the BJP's candidate for prime minister. His critics fear the same.
Yesterday, Mr Advani allegedly told leaders who visited him after he resigned that Mr Modi is "not the correct man to lead India."
In Gandhinagar, Mr Modi seemed to be settling into his new role as chairman of the BJP's election campaign committee. He has coined a new slogan "Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat (One India Best India)". (Read)
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