New Delhi:
BJP president Nitin Gadkari was an early visitor at the New Delhi residence of party veteran LK Advani, who celebrates his 85th birthday today. The politicians have been on different teams lately with Mr Advani reportedly keen on the urgent dismissal of Mr Gadkari from office.
Mr Gadkari is facing allegations of financial improbity. Though his party has said he will complete his term as president - it expires in December - sources say that Mr Advani disagrees partly because he wanted the top job for himself.
Mr Advani did not comment on that today, but refuted reports of his ambition to be named the BJP's candidate for Prime Minister. "The party has given me a lot. A lot of people say I aspire to be PM... tell me, is it bigger than the party?" he said.
In the midst of the politics, the scene-stealer was he Russian ambassador Alexander Kadakin who was seen touching Mr Advani's feet in a show of deference.
Mr Advani was conspicuous by his absence at a meeting of the BJP's top leadership earlier this week, where the party reiterated its support to Mr Gadkari, who faces allegations of financial improbity. Mr Advani is reportedly unhappy at the party's decision. Sources said he favoured removing Mr Gadkari immediately.
At Tuesday's meeting, the party also accepted a presentation by S Gurumurthy of the RSS that Mr Gadkari had done no "legal or moral" wrong and gave him a clean chit that will ensure that he honourably finishes his term as party president; he has six weeks left of that term.
Mr Advani, who has been at the forefront of the BJP's anti-corruption attack on the ruling Congress, is said to be among many within the party who argue that Mr Gadkari continuing as party chief is denting the BJP's image and is frittering away all the political advantage the BJP might have built over months. He is also reportedly keen to fill the vacancy of party president, a post he stepped down from after controversy over his Jinnah remark in 2005.