Top brass of the RSS, BJP and VHP are expected to meet on September 8-9 to firm up a consensus on the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate as well as the timing of the announcement of the candidate. Poll related strategies will also be discussed during the coordination meet. BJP veteran L.K. Advani is still opposed to the projection of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for the PM candidate post despite RSS and a section within the BJP strongly lobbying for him.
While there is a growing chorus within the Sangh Parivar to announce Mr Modi as the PM candidate at the earliest, Mr Advani is still reluctant to announce the PM candidate before the coming assembly polls. Mr Advani, it was learnt, is also against Mr Modi’s projection as he feels he is a polarising figure. On Sunday, senior RSS leader Bhaiyya Joshi held talks with Mr Advani and Sushma Swaraj on the issue. BJP chief Rajnath Singh was also present during the meeting. Ahead of the Sangh Parivar meet, RSS top brass will meet on September 7 to discuss issues including the timing of the announcement of the PM candidate as well as poll related strategies.
A section within the BJP, including Mr Advani, Ms Swaraj and M.M. Joshi, are of the opinion that a decision on the PM candidate should be taken after forthcoming Assembly elections in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. BJP chief Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley are of the view that the party should not wait further.
It could be recalled here that Mr Jaitley, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, had recently said the sooner the PM candidate was announced the better it would be for the party’s electoral prospects.
The Ayodhya temple issue, the recent 84 Kosi yatra taken out by VHP, Kishtwar communal violence are some of the other issues on the agenda.