Sunday, September 18 2005 14:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President L K Advani today (Sept 18, 2005) announced that he would step down from the post on December 30, 2005.

Advani made the announcement in his concluding remarks at the National Executive meeting here.

According to party sources, Advani attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) saying that the impression that the Sangh fountainhead was controlling the BJP was neither good for either the party or it.

Advani's remarks on Pakistan founder Mohmmad Ali Jinnah that he was secular, during his visit to the neighbouring country earlier this year, had triggered a national controversy with Hindu hardliners baying for his blood.

His remarks on Jinnah also drew flak from the Sangh Parivar which prevailed upon him to resign as the BJP Chief.