PM nominee issue not discussed: RSS leader

The two-day RSS-BJP strategy meet discussed various issues, including the current political scenario and the way ahead for the 2014 general elections, but not the announcement of the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, a senior RSS functionary said Monday.

However, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources indicated a decision to name Gujarat Chief Narendra Modi as the party's prime ministerial candidate has been taken and the announcement could be made in the coming days.

"Various issues were discussed during the two day-meeting. The (announcement of BJP's) prime ministerial candidate was not on agenda and was not discussed. This meeting was not held to take a decision," Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Manmohan Vaidya told reporters after the meeting concluded in Vasant Kunj area in south Delhi.

The two-day meeting dubbed as coordination meeting was held against the backdrop of intense discussions in the party on the issue of naming Modi as the prime ministerial candidate. The RSS had said Saturday that it has conveyed its opinion to the BJP on the issue.

The RSS is considered fountainhead of BJP.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had met party veteran L.K. Advani and senior leader Sushma Swaraj in an apparent effort to reach a consensus on Modi's name.

According to Vaidya, the meeting attended by senior RSS and BJP leaders discussed issues to be included in the party's manifesto and the policies to be implemented.

BJP president Rajnath Singh discussed the national scenario and the ways to move forward. Advani also addressed the gathering, when Sushma Swaraj, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, spoke about the condition of women,youth and the scheduled castes and tribes.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley spoke about internal security on Sunday, said Vaidya.

Besides a general discussion on economic policies, former party president Nitin Gadkari spoke on two issues that are close to the BJP's heart - building a Ram temple in Ayodhya and abrogation of article 370 of the Constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Gadkari also mentioned protection of cows and river Ganga, said Vaidya.

Another former party chief M. Venkaiah Naidu raised the problems being faced by the farmers and spoke on the condition of Indian agriculture.

--Indo-Asian News service

aag/vd/vm