Tuesday, July 12 2005 11:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: L K Advani's continuance as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President hung in balance last night (July 11, 2005) after he was put under intense pressure by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to step down in the wake of 'compromise with basic ideology' during his recent visit to Pakistan where he had praised Jinnah and described the demolition of Babri Masjid as the saddest day in his life.

The RSS leadership is understood to have conveyed in unambiguous terms to the veteran BJP leader that during the recent conclave of RSS functionaries in Surat the view was that his position as BJP President has become untenable after his controversial visit to Pakistan.

The RSS message was conveyed by its leaders Mohan Bhagwat, Madan Das Devi and Suresh Soni during their hectic parleys but at the end of the day it remained unclear whether Advani would take the unlikely decision of not yielding to the demand or whether there was bargaining over the timing of his stepping down.

Neither side was willing to talk to the media despite all the top BJP leaders rushing to the RSS Headquarters Jhandewala in the capital. The only thing disclosed was that BJP General Secretaries would meet at 11 AM today (July 12, 2005).

The series of events on July 11, 2005

The day-long drama began with the three RSS leaders meeting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and following it up with a call on Advani to convey the Sangh fountainhead's view that they had strong reservations over the 'ideological erosion' during his trip to Pakistan.

There was no official word on the hush-hush meeting except by a statement from RSS spokesman Ram Madhav that the RSS leaders met Vajpayee and Advani as scheduled.

Asked about the agenda of the meetings, Madhav said, "it will be disclosed to the media when necessary."

Once the RSS views were conveyed to Advani, then the second rung BJP leadership made trips to Jhandewalan, apparently in a bid to negotiate a patch-up formula.

BJP Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Jaswant Singh made two trips to the RSS headquarter here. Late in the night, they were joined by leaders including Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Bal Apte, Ananth Kumnar and Pramod Mahajan. Advani's detractor Murli Manohar Joshi also visited the RSS office here.

As the news of Advani coming under pressure from RSS circulated, the BJP leaders were huddled in discussions amidst speculation that they were keen on a face-saving formula to avoid an abrupt end to his tenure as BJP chief.

One view among Advani supporters was that he should remain at the helm at the present juncture because his removal would send a wrong signal ahead of crucial Bihar assembly elections.

Another view is that even if Advani has to go, he should be given a honourable exit after the 'mahaadhiveshan' that marks the golden jubilee celebrations, which will be held in Mumbai this year-end.