Narendra Modi-for-PM decision: BJP leaders scramble to placate miffed LK Advani

Mumbai/New Delhi: Senior BJP leaders scrambled today to placate a miffed LK Advani after the veteran leader openly protested against the party anointing Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 elections yesterday.

"Advaniji never told me he is opposed to Narendra Modi being the PM candidate," party president Rajnath Singh said today. (Watch)

Mr Advani had skipped the Friday meeting and later sent a letter to the BJP president saying he was "disappointment" with his way of functioning.

"Every family has a right to its disagreements," Mr Singh said.

Mr Singh's statements followed a series of visits by other leaders of the party, including Sushma Swaraj, Ananth Kumar and Ravi Shankar Prasad to Mr Advani's residence today.

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Their meeting came amid reports that the 85-year-old leader might release a new blog voicing his dissent. But emerging after a 90-minute meeting, Ms Swaraj tried to play down the divide and told reporters that "no one is upset."

Ravi Shankar Prasad, who met Mr Advani in the evening, said, "Advaniji will always support the BJP."

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Earlier this week, Mr Advani had reportedly warned Mr Singh that the Modi announcement will plunge the BJP in to a "political disaster."

After the announcement yesterday, Mr Modi headed straight to Mr Advani's residence to seek his blessings. But neither leader spoke to reporters after the 30-minute meeting. (Modi's political journey from RSS worker to PM candidate)

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The Gujarat Chief Minister then flew back to Ahmedabad, where he offered eloquent praise for the veteran leader. "Due to their sheer hard work, Atalji (former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee) and Advaniji are like the banyan tree of the BJP," he said while addressing supporters, and added that it is the "party's duty to preserve these trees."

In June, Mr Advani had resigned from all party posts after the BJP selected Mr Modi as its campaign-in -charge, a precursor to the prime ministerial nomination. But 24 hours later, the BJP's ideological mentor - the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS - persuaded Mr Advani to rescind his resignation.