Rajnath for top post: No consensus yet

Echoing him at Chennai, Naidu, according to PTI, said the reports on the choice of Rajnath were ‘‘mere media speculation.’’ He said the BJP would take a decision on the matter only after Advani announced his resignation at its silver jubilee conference at Mumbai. ‘‘Nothing is official till a new president is formally elected at Mumbai.’’

Naidu acknowledged that informal consultations had taken place among former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Advani, Jaswant Singh and him and that Rajnath’s name too had come up during discussions. He said no final decision had been taken yet.

He said Advani, who had already made his exit decision public, was expected to announce his resignation on December 30 and the date for the election of a new president would be announced then and there itself, he said.

General secretary Pramod Mahajan, host for the convention, reiterated that there would be no change of guard during the party convention at Mumbai from December 26 to 30. He said the change could take place on ‘‘December 31 or even later, but not at least during the six-day party national executive and convention.’’ He said the new president will continue till 2007, and later, the party can endorse the leadership for another term.

Rajnath met senior party leaders after being sounded about the consensus on his name. However, he told reporters in reply to a question, ‘‘Advaniji is our party president.’’ A reporter asked him if he was willing to take up the responsibility of party presidency. To this, Rajnath said, ‘‘I have discharged to the best of my abilities whatever responsibilities have been assigned to me so far.’’

We will see when it (the offer of presidentship) comes,’’ he said on being asked if he would accept the top post.

Though sources in the BJP did not expect a reversal of the informal decision, Advani’s latest posture is bound to make the transition of power far less smooth and pleasant than expected.