Thursday, June 16 2005 19:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In a shot in the arm for embattled BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) President L K Advani, a key founder member of the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) today (Jun 16, 2005) condemned the resolution adopted by it against him and asked the outfit to "abandon extremist positions, which go against the grain of Hindu culture and ethos".

Swami Vishvesha Teerth of Udupi's Pejavar Math, who met Advani earlier today, also claimed that the former Deputy Prime Minister was "willing to meet" Hindu religious leaders and "give clarifications".

He said the BJP President had not said he would not go back on his controversial statement on Pakistan founder Mohd Ali Jinnah.

Addressing a press conference, slammed by VHP sources as "managed by Advani", the Swami, who had opposed the resolution asking Advani to apologise for his controversial remarks and take 'Sanyas' from politics adopted at the Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal of the VHP at Haridwar on Tuesday (Jun 14, 2005), said he was against both its "language and content".

Without naming VHP's firebrand Secretary General Praveen Togadia and Acharya Dharmendra, he said, "I am also opposed to the language used by those who later presented the resolution before the media.

I believe that the unestrained and uncivil language does not suit the VHP, which is supposed to provide guidance to the Hindu society. Sants can never endorse it".

The pontiff said he had called Advani from Haridwar and requested him to meet the saints and dispel any wrong impressions in their minds.

While VHP leaders declined to comment on the Pejawar Swami's statement, outfit sources attributed them to his disciple and BJP leader Uma Bharati "who is trying to win back Advani's confidence".