Advani's meeting with RSS chief ends

New Delhi, Aug.29 (ANI): Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani's nearly two-hour-long meeting with Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat ended on Saturday a short while ago.

Sources, however, did not reveal what had been discussed at the meeting.

Advani had arrived at the RSS's Delhi headquarters - Keshavkunj - at around 3 p.m. for a meeting with Bhagwat.

The meeting took place amid reports that the RSS has readied a succession plan for the BJP, a plan that could facilitate an end to the internal crisis ravaging the party's rank and file. However, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters at a press conference that no succession plan has been discussed.

The RSS is believed to have told the BJP leadership to set its house in order. In a sign that this is being given serious thought, top brass of the BJP met at Advani's residence this morning for about two hours and briefed him about their discussions with Bhagwat on Friday.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj had joined other party colleagues - Arun Jaitely, Ananth Kumar and M.Venkaiah Naidu at the residence of Advani to reportedly discuss a viable succession plan.

It is reliably learnt that though there are no immediate changes in the top leadership, a succession plan is being readied after discussions with the RSS on Friday night.

Sources said that the RSS has firmly asked BJP leaders to end infighting in the party and reach a consensus on a new party chief.

The decision to call Jaitley and Swaraj together to a meeting at the RSS headquarters is seen as very significant, as they are the leading contenders for the party leadership, sparking speculation that a power-sharing arrangement might have been arrived at.

Jaitley looks the front-runner for the party chief"s job while Swaraj is tipped to take over from Advani as Leader of Opposition. If implemented, the party could see Naidu becoming Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, a post currently held by Jaitley.

The RSS has felt that if the factionalism is not quickly resolved, the issue could prolong till the end of the year. (ANI)