RSS had asked Advani to step down

Making official what was behind the scenes so far, a senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader on Sunday said Bharatiya Janata Party president Lal Kishenchand Advani had been conveyed the Surat conclave feeling that he should make way for someone else.

The RSS had made it clear that it was for the BJP to decide whether a leader with a 'tarnished image' would be an 'asset'.

• Advani meets Vajpayee, won't quit

It was 'unanimously decided' at the recent Sangh meeting in Surat to seek Advani's resignation over his remarks on Mohammed Ali Jinnah made in Pakistan, which was conveyed to BJP leaders by Sangh general secretary Mohan Bhagwat during his visit on July 10, M G Vaidya, wrote in his weekly column in the pro-RSS local Marathi daily Tarun Bharat.

• RSS asks Fernandes to stay away

"As decided (in the meeting), RSS general secretary, Mohan Bhagwat visited New Delhi on July 10 and apprised the sentiments of provincial pracharaks (organisers) to top Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders and also more importantly, to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee," Vaidya wrote.

It was up to Advani to decide on his resignation as BJP chief, 'but it was necessary to convey the views to him', Vaidya wrote, adding, however, that there was 'no pressure' on him.

"Simply conveying the message of the Surat meeting in clear terms does not amount to pressure," he said, but added in a similar vein, "It is for the BJP to decide whether the leader of a tarnished image will be an asset or a liability."

The issue of Advani's resignation might not have cropped up during the meeting with BJP office-bearers, but it certainly figured during the meeting with Advani, Vaidya said.

At the same time, views discussed at the BJP office-bearers meet also must have reached Advani, he noted.

The 'resignation episode' of Advani after his controversial remarks on Jinnah in Pakistan and the 'Jinnah ghost' will continue to haunt him in the days to come, wrote Bhagwat even as he criticised National Democratic Alliance convenor George Fernandes for telling the RSS not to arrogate to itself a 'political role' and confine itself to socio-cultural activities.

Vaidya wondered, "What prompted Feranandes to visit RSS headquarters on June 27?"