Senior BJP leaders today met L K Advani at his residence in New Delhi to placate him to withdraw his resignation. The leaders included former party Chief Nitin Gadkari, Jaswant Singh and Uma Bharti.
Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said that senior leaders are in touch with Mr Advani and the issue would be resolved soon. He said the party would emerge stronger after the issue is settled. He asked the Congress not to comment on the BJP's internal matters.
Party sources believe that Mr Advani will withdraw his resignation and guide it in the next general elections.
Earlier in the day, party President Rajnath Singh denied reports that the party is under pressure from the RSS over the crisis triggered by the resignation of senior leader L K Advani. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said the news stories suggesting it are baseless.
The BJP Parliamentary Board had yesterday rejected Advani's resignation from all party posts. At an urgent meeting held at the residence of party president Rajnath Singh, the Board unanimously rejected Mr. Advani's resignation from the Parliamentary Board, National Executive and the Election Committee.
Mr Advani resigned reportedly in protest against the elevation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as Campaign Committee Chief plunging the main opposition party into a crisis. In his resignation letter to the Party President, Advani rued that the BJP was no longer an idealistic party, with its leaders pursuing their personal agenda.