RSS to rein in Suresh Soni to pacify L K Advani

However,sceptics within the BJP said that dilution of Soni’s influence could be judged only from the rank of the new men within the Sangh hierarchy. “The dilution of Soni’s influence could be certain only if a person higher than him in the RSS hierarchy is assigned to share that job,” said a BJP leader.

Sources,however,refused to divulge who the RSS may deploy,claiming that it will happen before the elections. While being cautious in speculating the RSS’s choice,sources pointed out how RSS number two Bhaiyyaji Joshi had acted to resolve the situation arising after Advani’s resignation.

Sources indicated that this will be followed with the next step in BJP’s electoral plan — taking a final position on projecting its prime ministerial candidate. “This issue will most likely be settled before the Assembly elections,” confided another source,adding that there’s only one person in the fray,Narendra Modi. While the Gujarat Chief Minister’s anointment as party’s chief campaigner has left him only a step behind being declared the PM candidate,the BJP has been maintaining that a decision on the issue will be taken at an appropriate time.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had recently met with BJP president Rajnath Singh,Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi regarding the party’s poll preparations.

The fact that the BJP Parliamentary Board has decided to arm Modi with a team of sub-committees vetted by the board to execute party’s campaign plan,sources said,was a reflection of attempts to keep Advani on board. Modi supporters,however,suggest that it’s an attempt by the Gujarat CM to take everyone along. The BJP Parliamentary Board,slated to meet July 18,may announce the sub-committees.