New Delhi: Expressing concern over the leadership controversy in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief K S Sudarshan has counselled the party to focus more on its ideology and principles and less on individuals even as he appreciated the "good work" being done by party chief M Venkaiah Naidu.

Ahead of the BJP's crucial brainstorming session near Mumbai beginning June 17, Sudarshan telephoned Naidu from the party headquarters at Nagpur June 6 evening and said while it was important for political parties to project their leaders, the emphasis should be on ideology, principles and programmes of the organisation, Sangh Parivar sources said.

The advice came close on the heels of a statement by Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, the projection of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee as 'Vikas Purush' (man of development) was a personal viewpoint of Naidu and not endorsed by any party fora.

The Sangh had been consistently "opposed" to the emergence of any "personality cult" not only within the RSS but also all the affiliated organisations such as (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) VHP and BJP as it tends to "dilute" ideology, principles and programmes which were "paramount", the sources said.

Adopting a diplomatic stand on the BJP leadership controversy, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav had told a news conference on June 6, that it was for the party to decide whether Atal Behari Vajpayee or L K Advani should lead it in the next elections and asserted that both leaders were "equal and close" to Sangh.

However, besides the counsel, Naidu also got a shot in the arm when the RSS pracharak appreciated the "fine job" he was doing.

Prime Minister Vajpayee himself had on June 5 telephoned Naidu and asked him not to worry about media reports regarding the leadership controversy. Sudarshan also reportedly told Naidu to "keep up" the pace of galvanising the party, he was engaged in.

Besides the telephone call, a senior RSS functionary also called on Naidu on June 7 morning and discussed the controversy which had caused "avoidable embarassment", the sources said.

Apart from the leadership issue, RSS is also keen that BJP takes a "bold stand" on crucial Hindutva issues ahead of the Assembly elections later this year and the Lok Sabha polls scheduled in 2004, the sources said.

The issues are bound to figure prominently at the 'Chintan Baithak' (brainstorming session) of the party in which 26 senior leaders are expected to participate.

RSS joint general secretary Madan Das Devi, who is also incharge of BJP affairs, is expected to participate in the four-day meeting, where Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani would also be present.

PTI