New Delhi:
By hinting that he is ready to go, it seems like L K Advani is trying to buy time - against his rivals in the BJP.
Sources in the BJP say that Advani plans to resign in December, when Rajnath Singh's term as party president ends; he will then have a greater say in appointing his own men as successors.
This explains why leaders close to Advani are denying the buzz that he may step down in November - at least off the record.
"L K Advani and A B Vajpayee have served the party for more than five decades. BJP workers will welcome them in whatever capacity they choose to serve and guide the party," says Arun Jaitley.
This means that Advani has gone back on what he, and later Sushma Swaraj, said on August 7 - that he is ready for another term at the top.
But for Advani's plan to succeed, he needs the RSS on his side. His signal to the impatient Sangh - which has been asking for his ouster - is that his plan for the next five years has changed.
This signal is also meant for partymen who have been attacking him, the latest being former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikar for his 'rancid pickle' remark.
The BJP wonders when Advani will go and who will succeed him. But the debate should actually be about who will be the leader to enthuse its cadres, like Advani once did.
Sources in the BJP say that Advani plans to resign in December, when Rajnath Singh's term as party president ends; he will then have a greater say in appointing his own men as successors.
This explains why leaders close to Advani are denying the buzz that he may step down in November - at least off the record.
"L K Advani and A B Vajpayee have served the party for more than five decades. BJP workers will welcome them in whatever capacity they choose to serve and guide the party," says Arun Jaitley.
This means that Advani has gone back on what he, and later Sushma Swaraj, said on August 7 - that he is ready for another term at the top.
But for Advani's plan to succeed, he needs the RSS on his side. His signal to the impatient Sangh - which has been asking for his ouster - is that his plan for the next five years has changed.
This signal is also meant for partymen who have been attacking him, the latest being former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikar for his 'rancid pickle' remark.
The BJP wonders when Advani will go and who will succeed him. But the debate should actually be about who will be the leader to enthuse its cadres, like Advani once did.
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