BJP to reject Advani's resignation

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

Also see: JD-U puts pressure on BJP | Coverage

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 [ Images ]. 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 [ Images ] 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