LK Advani willing to accept Narendra Modi as convenor of poll panel, not chairman: sources

Panaji: LK Advani has reportedly offered the BJP a compromise on the contentious issue of the status of his colleague Narendra Modi.

Sources say he has suggested that the Gujarat Chief Minister be appointed the "convenor" and not the "chairman" of the party's election committee for the national polls.

If Mr Modi is declared convenor, the committee's meetings would be presided over by BJP chief Rajnath Singh, and project the chief minister as one of the party's key leaders, rather than the most prominent.

Mr Advani is the captain of a club of heavy-weights who have refused to attend the BJP's national executive in Goa to protest against the likelihood of Mr Modi being made its election chief.

Mr Advani is sick not angry, reiterated the party president on record, as sources said the BJP is wary of declaring a big promotion for Mr Modi in his absence.

As president, Mr Singh is reportedly trying hard to negotiate consensus within his party and its allies over Mr Modi's immediate future.

The BJP's parent body, the RSS has said it is imperative for Mr Modi to be rewarded for his massive popularity within party workers, powered in part by his ability to deliver results. After being re-elected for a fourth term as Chief Minister in December, he won six new seats in important by-elections this week.

But Mr Advani is said to be concerned that a huge role for Mr Modi will allow the ruling Congress to shift the debate to the chief minister's secular credentials, and away from the corruption the government stands accused of.