Advani visits RSS headquarters,talks poll strategy with Bhagwat

He recalled his long association with the RSS,saying he had been coming to Nagpur since he was 14.

If there was no Sangh Parivar,the Jan Sangh and later the BJP,would not have been born, Advani said. Last time,Mohanrao Bhagwat came to New Delhi and we had very good discussions. RSS-BJP dialogue is always going on.

RSS is very serious this time about achieving complete unity in the parivar and has directed all to wholeheartedly work for the success of the BJP in elections. Advani comments underscore that he was offered an olive branch by Bhagwat at the last meeting. The Modi episode has to be buried, a source said,referring to the recent crisis in the BJP over Narendra Modis elevation.

RSS has taken a serious note of the BJP position that Hindutva must be kept aside and only development pushed. The two Bhagwat,Advani agreed the Congress is trying to corner Modi and BJP on the Hindutva issue, the source said.

From Advanis visit and that of Rajnath Singh Saturday,it has become clear that the RSS,seen as the force behind Modi,continues to take obvious interest in the BJP affairs to put the divided house in order. It seems to be yielding on its standard position that it advises the BJP only when asked for. The fact that Advani explicitly mentioned they discussed elections shows the RSS does not anymore want to beat about the bush as regards its stakes in BJP, a source said.

The RSS had issued a statement after the Bhagwat-Advani meeting in Delhi last month that dialogue will continue. Meanwhile,there is speculation that Modi will visit the RSS headquarters Sunday.