BJP, RSS, VHP leaders meet, PM candidate not discussed

Leaders of BJP and Sangh outfits RSS and VHP held a key meeting today but the issue of taking a decision on declaring Narendra Modi as BJP's prime ministerial candidate did not come up for discussions amid indications a final announcement may be made by September 20.
The two-day meet convened to finalise a coordination strategy for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls started against the backdrop of RSS' announcement yesterday that it has conveyed its opinion to BJP on the prime ministerial candidate.
Top BJP leaders LK Advani, Sushma Swaraj - both of whom are said to be against Modi's projection -- Arun Jaitley, Murli Manohar Joshi besides party President Rajnath Singh participated in the meeting, which was also attended by Modi.

The Gujarat Chief Minister left for Ahmedabad in the evening as he is due to open the Vibrant Gujarat Global Agriculture Summit tomorrow.
BJP sources said an announcement on the party's PM candidate could be made by September 20.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has already held a meeting with Advani and Swaraj in a bid to reach a consensus on Modi's name.

RSS was represented by General Secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi and Joint General Secretaries Suresh Soni and Dattatreya Hosbole while Praveen Togadia of VHP was also present.
The participants discussed the BJP's electoral strategy and a need was felt to galvanise young voters in the party's favour.

The conclave is discussing issues which are to be taken to the people from the block level upwards, sources said, adding it will also chalk out strategy for better coordination among Sangh organisations.
The Sangh outfits plan to carry out programmes to reach out to all sections--minorities, SC, OBCs, tribals, women and the young--in tandem.
Among other issues, the VHP's recent yatra in UP which was not allowed by the state government and the incidents of communal riots causing polarisation of communities also came up for discussion.