BJP's search for peace: Narendra Modi meets Advani

New Delhi: The BJP is making a concerted effort to course-correct after the promotion of Narendra Modi laid bare bitter internal differences.

Mr Modi, the Gujarat Chief Minister, met this morning with BJP veteran LK Advani. He then visited the home of stalwart leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.   

Sources close to Mr Advani describe the 45-minute meeting as "positive".   

Earlier this month, Mr Advani resigned from party posts after Mr Modi was placed in charge of the BJP's election campaign. He withdrew his resignation after an intervention by Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the BJP's powerful ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS.

Sources say Mr Advani and Mr Bhagwat are also expected to meet soon.

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The RSS has made it clear that while Mr Advani must serve as a mentor and guide for the BJP, there can be no compromise on the VVIP status being given to Mr Modi.

That strategy cost the BJP its biggest ally. On Sunday, the Janata Dal United or JD(U) ended a 17-year partnership with the BJP, alleging that it could not accept the elevation of a leader it describes as divisive.

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"The Advani-Atal era in the BJP has ended," said JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He added that the BJP has betrayed its seniors by ignoring their concerns about Mr Modi's role.

The break-up with the JD(U) has highlighted the challenge for the BJP in projecting Mr Modi as its main man.

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Despite his popularity and his economic transformation of Gujarat, Mr Modi is seen by some as too much of a hardliner who did not do enough to protect hundreds of Muslims who died in his state in 2002 in some of the worst riots since Independence. He has denied the charge.