Monday, July 4 2005 15:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Surat: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) National Secretary Sudheendra Kulkarni's resignation appears to have given a fresh lease of life to an embattled L K Advani as the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) deliberated on its ties with the saffron party on the second day of its three-day conclave in Surat today (July 4, 2005).

The resignation of Kulkarni, after he called for recasting BJP-RSS ties and distancing the party from extremist elements in the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad), is being seen by the Sangh fount head as an attempt by the BJP chief to silence his critics in the Parivar who were unhappy with his new-found secular inclination.

"By sacrificing his close personal aide, Advani apparently wants to show he will not tolerate any public criticism of the Sangh and that his controversial remarks in Pakistan on Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Ayodhya demolition and Akhand Bharat were an aberration," a senior Sangh leader told sources in Surat.

Kulkarni was also accused by the Sangh Parivar and BJP leaders of having "misled" Advani during his Pakistan visit.

With Advani virtually retracting on his remarks and seeking to revive dormant Hindutva issues in the run-up to the RSS conclave, the Sangh top brass today appeared to be in favour of giving him time to set the BJP in order and facilitate smooth transfer of power by year-end.

"Any change of leadership at this juncture will only harm the nationalist movement. Moreover, if Advani is willing to pursue our agenda and restore primacy of ideology, there should be no problem," the senior leader said.

During the deliberations here, many pracharaks (provincial organisers) are understood to have talked about "confusion" caused among the cadres by Advani's remarks and the need to put the record straight. BJP General Secretary (Organisation) Sanjay Joshi is also expected to present his organisational report to the RSS leadership.

Though both sides have made an unwritten understanding that Advani would remain in office till the concluding session of BJP's Silver Jubilee celebration in Mumbai in December, the Bihar poll outcome may change the plan.

If NDA (National Democratic Alliance) wins in Bihar in the upcoming Assembly elections, BJP would insist on Advani completing his full three-year tenure which began only in October last year.

However, VHP leaders are pressing hard for Advani's replacement by a pro-Hindutva leader at the earliest.

But with battle-lines drawn among the party's second-generation leadership, the Sangh too is in a dilemma as to who would fit the bill if Advani is replaced, sources said.

Moreover, with the UPA Government at the Centre determined to check the activities of the Parivar, the RSS too needs a strong political arm to oppose within and outside Parliament any attempt by people like HRD Minister Arjun Singh to "muzzle it", they said.

"In the present circumstances, the RSS needs the BJP as much as the party needs the Sangh. Therefore, any threat to sever ties is impractical and at best could only serve to make the party fall in line," said a senior pracharak.

While pushing for giving primacy to ideology, the RSS is also keen not to be seen directly interfering in politics or in the internal matters of BJP.

With the BJP-led NDA out of power at the Centre, the Sangh's coffers, which were one brimming with resources, too have dwindled.

With attendance at RSS sankhas on the decline and the once lavish patrons tightening their purse strings, only the magnanimous BJP-ruled states offer some solace in running a juggernaut like the Sangh set-up, the sources said.

"Let us be realistic. We will make the BJP win but breaking them is not in our interest also," a senior functionary said.