New Delhi:
LK Advani seems to be worried about the political fallout of the split between his party, the BJP, and Janata Dal (United).
Sources say that hours after Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar announced that its 17-year-old alliance with the BJP has ended, Mr Advani phoned BJP president Rajnath Singh and urged him to call a meeting and decide that they should go to the next general elections, which are months away, under collective leadership.
Mr Advani also warned Mr Singh, according to sources, that the National Democratic Alliance, of which the JD(U) was a major constituent, will end if "we go to polls under one person".
The BJP patriarch had phoned the Bihar Chief Minister earlier this week and had urged him not to end the alliance. He had even asked Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to speak to Mr Kumar about keeping the NDA alliance intact.
But at a press conference on Sunday, Mr Kumar announced the split. He also displayed the skill he has finessed in recent months of targeting the BJP's Narendra Modi without naming him. "To be named Prime Minister, you need more than 270 votes," he said in a clear jab at the Gujarat Chief Minister, described by critics as a polarising politician, unacceptable to parties that have substantial Muslim support.
Mr Modi hopes to run for prime minister, but is accused by detractors, including the JD(U), of not acting soon or strongly enough to stop the killing of hundreds of Muslims in the Gujarat riots of 2002. By recently choosing him to lead its election campaign, the BJP has signalled that he is the front runner for its prime ministerial nomination, the JD(U) has alleged.
On Monday, Mr Advani had resigned from all party posts, upset that the party over-ruled him to promote Mr Modi. He was later persuaded by his party to change his mind and Rajnath Singh later announced the rapprochement.
Many within the BJP as well as outside, are worried that Mr Modi's elevation will be followed by his winning the BJP's prime ministerial nomination, something that the JD(U) is opposed to.