Tuesday, June 7 2005 13:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: L K Advani is believed to have categorically ruled out withdrawing his resignation as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president.

Describing the reactions to his statements in Pakistan as "most unfortunate", he told senior BJP leaders, who rushed to him on learning about his resignation, that it would not be possible for him to continue in the post.

He was particularly agonised over party leaders not reacting even after some people labelled him as a traitor for describing Pakistan's founder leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah as secular, said a senior leader after an hour-long meeting with Advani.

"He has refused to budge. It is unlikely that he would withdraw his resignation, the leader, who did not want to be identified, told sources.

Among those who are believed to have tried to persuade Advani were M Venkiah Naidu, Sanjay Joshi, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Bal Apte, Ananta Kumar, Uma Bharati, and Muqtar Abbas Naqvi.

Some senior leaders are expected to meet former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the sources said.