No change in decision to elevate Modi, says Rajnath

Notwithstanding L K Advani's resignation, BJP President Rajnath Singh made it clear that there will be no going back on the decision to appoint Narendra Modi as campaign committee chief.

His assertion came even as a host of leaders like M M Joshi, Jaswant Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Venkaiah Naidu, Gopinath Munde, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Kalraj Mishra and Gopinath Munde flocked to Advani's residence to persuade him to reconsider his decision, saying his "guidance" was required by the party.

There were indications that a solution was being worked out and could be announced soon.

Singh, who appointed Modi as campaign committee chairman two days back triggering Advani's resignation, said, "Who is talking about changing the decision?... Where am I changing my decision?"

He was responding when asked by reporters in Barmer in Rajasthan whether he would remain "firm" on his decision or change it in view of Advani's resignation.

To a question on Advani, he said, "he has been our guide, is our guide and will remain our guide."

His assertion about not changing the decision came amid hectic efforts to persuade Advani to reconsider his decision to quit all party posts.

Amidst these efforts, Advani got backing from Jaswant Singh who said a solution should be found to the questions raised the veteran leader soon in the interest of the party as well as the nation.

Jaswant Singh, considered close of Advani, also expressed hope that a solution will be found when asked whether Advani will reconsider his decision to quit.

"A solution should be found soon to the questions raised by Advani ji. This is in the interest of the party. This is in the interest of the nation," Singh said after meeting Advani in Delhi.

BJP plunged into a crisis yesterday after Advani quit from three main party posts -- Parliamentary Board, National Executive and the Election Committee.

Swaraj said the question of Advani's resignation does not arise once it has been rejected by the party's highest decision-making body.

"The question of resignation does not arise once we have rejected it," Swaraj, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, told reporters here as she met the party patriarch.

Asked whether Advani would withdraw his resignation, Swaraj said "where is the question of taking it back. There is no resignation once the Parliamentary Board has rejected it."

Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "we all want him (Advani) to remain our guide."

He expressed confidence that some solution would be found to the issue.

Gopinath Munde said he had also requested Advani to take back his resignation on behalf of BJP workers.

Shahnawaz Hussain, the party spokesman, said Advani is the BJP's "tallest leader" who has built the party.

"People love him. We want that he should continue to give his blessings and guidance to us," he said.

He said efforts were being made to resolve the issue and it could come soon.

The BJP Parliamentary Board, which met on Monday, passed a resolution describing Advani as its "leader and guide".

"That role inevitably belongs to him. The Party and nation needs his sage advice and guidance today more than ever before. The Parliamentary Board decided to reject the resignation of Shri Advani ji," it said.