RSS wants Advani to be respected; there's no pressure: BJP

Bharatiya Janata Party President Rajnath Singh on Tuesday denied reports that the party was under pressure from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh over the crisis triggered by the resignation of senior leader L K Advani from all party positions.

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, Singh said that news stories which suggested this were baseless.

"I want to make one thing clear that on some channels news has been telecast that RSS has said this or that. I want to make it absolutely clear that Sangh has not said anything.

"I have inquired from people in Sangh, whether they've made a statement. They told me that there has been no statement from their side, all this news is completely baseless," he added.

Media reports earlier claimed that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had called Rajnath Singh to discuss the issue. 

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Sources said that both the BJP and RSS were of the view that there should be no going back on the decision to appoint Gujarat CM Narendra Modi as head of the election campaign committee.

However, they feel that Advani should be given due respect and all efforts should be made to convince him to take back his resignation.

The RSS had on Monday described as shocking and unfortunate Advani's resignation from all party posts, noting all is not well in the saffron party.

Meanwhile, party leaders on Tuesday said they will persuade him to reconsider it and were hopeful that he will do so.

Advani's close associate Jaswant Singh maintained that the "worries and concerns" raised by Advani about the affairs of the party would be looked into.

"The issues he has raised are for the good of the party and the nation. I am hopeful a proper solution to these would come out. I am sure the party will be successful in dealing with these issues," Singh told reporters.

Former BJP President Nitin Gadkari said the party needs the guidance of a veteran leader like Advani at this juncture.

"We will pray to him to reconsider and I am confident he will take back his resignation," Gadkari said.

Party MP Uma Bharti, who met Advani and Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj separately on Tuesday morning, said that she and and Swaraj had a "good conversation" but refused to answer questions on Advani's resignation, saying she does not want to speak on that matter.

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