Sudershan, Advani plan meet to sort out troubles

In a bid to soften the conflict between the RSS Sarsanghchalak K S Sudershan and BJP President L K Advani, a meeting has been scheduled between the two in the coming ten days.

According to top RSS sources, while the modalities of the meeting, like who else would be present at the meeting besides the big two have not been worked out, the RSS felt that such a meeting was important.

"A lot of bitterness has crept in and we feel that it is time that these things be amicably resolved. After all it is Sangh Parivar, a family matter," said the source.

'The sarsanghchalak and Advani have only met during Sangh functions while sharing a dias after Advani's trip to Pakistan, so we felt it was high time that this meeting take place,' said the source. The two have, according to sources, spoken over the phone at least two times over the last ten days paving the way for this meeting.

There is a growing realisation that this bitterness would be harmful to both organisations, and if a leadership change in the BJP is to be effected smoothly, it has to be with the involvement of Vajpayee and Advani.

"Too much has been said about BJP-RSS relationship in the public, and the leadership change should not be affected by this bitterness," said a senior BJP leader. In fact contrary to certain expectations, the leadership change in the BJP will not be announced at the Mumbai National Council meet of the party in December.

"The new president will, in all likelihood be announced after the meet, very soon after, but definitely not at the meet,' said a top RSS source. 'It will be an honourable exit for Advani," he added.

Sources say that a system would be put into place after the Sudershan-Advani meeting to make sure that the change is effected with the least amount of blood spilling.

'Since Advani had announced at the Chennai National Executive that he would be stepping down in December, the move is a way of ensuring that it does the least damage to the fabric of the BJP,' said a senior leader in the BJP.

'In this situation, the signal has to come from RSS and not Advani, since it may look as if he is clinging to a post he has already forsaken, expect some announcements soon,' he added.