BJP asks RSS to support Modi in Gujarat; no positive response

New Delhi, Oct 25 (UNI) The efforts of senior BJP leader L K Advani to win support of the RSS for his party for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections seem to have little impact, sources said.

While the BJP declined to react on the issue, the sources said Mr Advani had spoken to RSS General Secretary Mohan Bhagawat, drawing his attention to the statement of Gujarat wing of the RSS that would not take sides in the fight between state Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the dissident group, loyal to his predecessor Keshubhai Patel.

Mr Bhagawat is believed to have endorsed the stand taken by the RSS in Gujarat leaving the Sangh workers free to work for whomsover they wanted to support.

He had stated that the RSS would not take sides in the tussle as it was like a ''fight between two grown up sons'' where the family elders would not take sides.

Sources also said the Gujarat Chief Minister had called on Mr Bhagawat at Surat on Sunday last when he was in the state. The RSS leader is understood to have advised Mr Modi that ''he should take everyone along''.

UNI