Blamed for defeat, Jaitley may not be dissidents’ choice

NEW DELHI: Though RSS sources on Saturday were quoted in an agency report as denying that succession plans were discussed, the Sangh���s exercise is clearly aimed at working out a roadmap for the party. BJP leaders pointed out that RSS does not directly point out successors but helps build consensus by indicating its views.

One of the formulations aired included the possibility that Advani would make way for a successor along with a change in the BJP leadership.

Senior BJP leaders point out that the choices remain limited even as they speak of Rajnath Singh being accommodated in any new power structure. The reason seems to be the need to give due representation to a Thakur leader when both Jaitley and Swaraj are Brahmins. It is felt that Swaraj was the only real choice to step into Advani���s shoes. The toss-up for BJP president would be among Jaitley, Naidu and Kumar. In this situation, Kumar is seen as not too well known while Naidu has already been party chief and is from the south.

The speculation has drawn a sharp response from the dissidents who are not at all reconciled to any changes in the party. They continue to target Jaitley, as chief campaign strategist, for not being held accountable for BJP���s defeat in the 2009 polls.

Shourie doesn���t know ABC of RSS working: Patwa

Senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Sunderlal Patwa believes that the crisis in the party will blow over. A handful of senior leaders making a noise will not affect the organisation, he said on Saturday.

Asked about Shourie���s appeal to RSS to take charge of BJP, Patwa told reporters, "Arun Shourie may be a learned journalist but he doesn���t know the ABC of RSS working. Shourie knows nothing about RSS. The party will certainly decide on LK Advani and the leadership issue. But let us not forget that LK Advani has dedicated his life for the party. If Advani has seen the best of times and reigned at the top, he has also experienced the bottom."