Advani has 'candid' interaction with Bhagwat

BJP patriarch L K Advani today had a "candid" interaction with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on recent developments in the wake of elevation of Narendra Modi as head of BJP's election campaign committee.

The meeting took place at the Sangh founthead's headquarters here.

"Following the brief telephonic conversation that Advani had with Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat last week, there was an hour-long meeting today between the two at Keshavkunj, the RSS HQ in Delhi," RSS propaganda chief Manmohan Vaidya said in a statement.

Describing the interaction as "detailed and candid", he said Advani conveyed his views on various developments in the country and the role of the party and the broad nationalist movement led by the Sangh.

The RSS leader said Advani suggested that there is a need for further discussion and exchange of notes at various levels between the party and the Sangh on several issues.

"Same will take place at appropriate time. Bhagwat also suggested that such useful exchange of views should continue in future also," Vaidya said, pointing at a deeper role of the RSS in BJP affairs.

This was the first meeting between Advani and Bhagwat after the former had quit all party posts on June 10 in protest against the elevation of Modi at the Goa conclave of the BJP.

In his resignation letter, Advani had cited the manner in which BJP was functioning as the reason for his decision. He had said he finds it difficult to reconcile with this and charged that most leaders of the party are now concerned just with their personal agenda.

Advani had withdrawn his resignation the next day after Bhagwat talked to him over phone and convinced him that all the concerns raised by him would be looked into by the party.

Sources said all these issues were discussed between Advani and Bhagwat.