BJP to reject Advani's resignation

The Bharatiya Janata Party parliamentary board, scheduled to meet at 5 pm, is likely to reject BJP chief Lal Kishenchand Advani's resignation.

Advani resigned on Tuesday after coming under a sharp attack from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its allied bodies for his remarks praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

The RSS has already softened its stand on the issue. The RSS chief K Sudershan this morning praised Advani for the work he has done as the BJP president.

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The 5 pm meeting is also likely to be attended by all office-bearers of the party and few chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states.

The meeting will be presided over by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Advani will not attend the meeting. "It would not be proper to discuss his resignation in his presence," Naidu said.

Asked about senior party leader Yashwant Sinha's statement that Advani should also consider quitting the post of the leader of the opposition, Naidu said: "I have spoken to him, he did not say any such things. Only in response to a question he said it was for Advaniji to take a decision."

Also see: Advani quit over Togadia's 'traitor' tag