Sushma Swaraj, other BJP brass meet at Advani residence

Sushma Swaraj, other BJP brass meet at Advani residenceNew Delhi, Aug. 29 : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, has joined other party colleagues at the residence of Leader of Opposition L. K. Advani to reportedly discuss a viable succession plan.

According to a Times Now television report, Swaraj''s visit to the Advani residence is significant in the wake of the BJP''s parent body -- the RSS -- reportedly readying a succession plan with Arun Jaitley being tipped for BJP President and Sushma Swaraj as the Leader of Opposition.

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)