New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Human Resources Development Minister M M Joshi are likely to meet Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief K S Sudershan soon in a bid to smoothen relations between BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in the wake of the recent sharply critical remarks by VHP international working president Ashok Singhal against Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, party sources said on September 30.

The move comes close on the heels of BJP taking exception to the attack on Vajpayee by VHP after the attack on Akshardham temple with party president Venkaiah Naidu saying its leaders seemed to be influenced by "religious intolerance and extremism" from across the border and asked them to "think twice" before criticising the government and the party.

The use of Sudershan's good offices is seen as an attempt to sort out issues with Sangh Parivar outfit VHP without direct involvement of the ruling BJP.

Meanwhile, Naidu convened a meeting of party general secretaries on September 30 to discuss the various issues including the VHP statement as well as the anti-terrorist day to be observed on October 1, sources said.

The meeting also discussed the modalities for the two-month membership drive of the party to be launched from October 2.

PTI