RSS chief calls on former PM Vajpayee

RSS chief calls on former PM VajpayeeNew Delhi, Sep. 4 : The chief of the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Rao Bhagwat, met former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in the national capital on Friday.

Bhagwat is said to have inquired after Vajpayee''s health. The two leaders are also believed to have discussed the latest crisis engulfing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Last month, all eyes were on Bhagwat as he visited New Delhi for discussions with the BJP leadership.

Bhagwat had then said that BJP leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh would decide on their role within the party.

Talking to reporters then, Bhagwat said, "Rajnathji, Advaniji and others will decide on their role in the party. Everything will be fine in the BJP in future."

"There are people with moral standing like Advani and under their guidance, they will solve all problems. We have nothing to do with this," he added

While the BJP had said that Rajnath Singh will not get an extension as party president beyond his three-year term that ends in December, there were reports that Advani may step down as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha but the timing for it has been left to him.

Bhagwat had a breakfast meeting with Advani and had discussions with other senior leaders.

The meeting took place amid reports that the RSS has readied a succession plan for the BJP.

However, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters at a press conference that no succession plan was discussed.

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

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