NEW DELHI : BJP President Rajnath Singh today denied reports that the party was under pressure from the RSS over the crisis triggered by the resignation of senior leader L K Advani from all party positions.
Speaking to reporters here he said that news stories which suggested this were baseless.
“I want to make one thing clear that on some channels news has been telecast that RSS has said this or that. I want to make it absolutely clear that Sangh has not said anything.
“I have inquired from people in Sangh, whether they’ve made a statement. They told me that there has been no statement from their side, all this news is completely baseless,” he added.
Media reports earlier claimed that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had called Rajnath Singh to discuss the issue.
Sources said that both the BJP and RSS were of the view that there should be no going back on the decision to appoint Gujarat CM Narendra Modi as head of the election campaign committee.
However they feel that Advani should be given due respect and all efforts should be made to convince him to take back his resignation.
RSS had yesterday described as shocking and unfortunate Advani’s resignation from all party posts, noting all is not well in the saffron party.
M G Vaidya, a veteran leader of BJP’s ideological fountainhead, said some resignations of his followers may follow.
He also said RSS would not directly intervene in the crisis in the party unless asked by it.
“It’s shocking that leader of such a great stature has to quit. It is now evident that all is not well in the BJP. Advani was probably perturbed over the inner crisis in the BJP and therefore quit all positions,” Vaidya, a former RSS spokesperson, had said.
Echoing the views of the party president, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said there is no interference or directive from RSS on the Advani resignation issue and that Congress is un-necessarily taking the name of the Sangh founthead.
“BJP Parliamentary Board has rejected Advani’s resignation and also passed a resolution. But Congress and a few others are deliberately dragging the name of the RSS. I want to clarify that RSS has only said his resignation is very unfortunate. There is no interference or directive from RSS,” Javadekar told reporters.
He said the party is hopeful of resolving the issue soon.
“Party leaders are in touch with Advani and among themselves. Soon this issue will be resolved and BJP will emerge stronger,” Javadekar said. (AGENCIES)
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