Saturday, August 20 2005 16:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: Inspite of seeking his ouster on various issues, including utterances on Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has no plans to stage protests when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President L K Advani begins his two-day visit to Gujarat from today (August 20, 2005).

Activists and Sadhus affiliated to VHP, including Acharya Dharmendra, carried out an intensive anti-Advani campaign after his statements on Jinnah during the Pakistan tour, but today when he is scheduled to visit the city, at a time when the state BJP is going through turmoil, the saffron brigade has no intentions to step in.

Talking to PTI, VHP International General Secretary, Pravin Togadia, categorically said that there would be no protest or demonstrations from the VHP during Advani's visit.

Though the VHP has not yet openly sided dissident leaders in Gujarat who have been seeking Modi's ouster, speculation over the saffron brigade's interests in the anti-Modi campaign ran high when Togadia visited Keshubhai's house two days ago and 'inquired' about his ailing wife.

Political tug-of-war in the Gujarat BJP began when Modi dashed off two of his minister's to Delhi as soon as the dissidents, led by Keshubhai, marched to Delhi on August 17, 2005 and then four Modi-ministers went to the former Chief Minister's house to 'inquire' about Leelaben.