In a surprise statement, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief K S Sudarshan said senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and party president Lal Kishenchand Advani should make way for younger leaders in the party.
Speaking on NDTV 24x7's 'Walk the Talk' programme, he said both leaders should take note of their age and remove themselves from active command of the party.
When interviewer Shekhar Gupta pointed out that Vajpayee often said he was tired, the RSS chief said, "I have been saying that he should go and let new faces emerge. He should stay as senior advisor only."
Asked whether the time had come for 'some persons' to retire, he said, "Absolutely. Age is a factor after all."
On whether Advani was also getting old, Sudarshan said, "Yes. Both should step aside and see younger leadership emerge in front of them."
Asked about the dissidence being faced by Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi, Sudarshan said, "That is because of his style of functioning."
However, he was quick to add that 'his (Modi's) decisions are right and he gets the work done well'. He, however, does not take all the people into confidence collectively. He meets them separately, Sudarshan said.
The RSS chief said he had advised Modi to 'take everyone along with you' and hoped the Gujarat CM's style would change, as he was 'facing pressure from all sides'.
More from rediff