Advani meets Shankaracharya

new delhi: home minister l k advani on tuesday met the shankaracharya of kanchi and discussed with him the current imbroglio in the wake of vhp's plans to perform a puja and move carved pillar stones near the disputed site in ayodhya. the meeting lasted lasted 45 minutes but advani refused to disclose anything. earlier, nda convenor and union defence minister george fernandes called on the shankaracharya of kanchi kamakoti peetam jayendra saraswathi.fernandes, who has been in constant touch with rss leaders to sort out the contentious issue, met the pontiff at the kamakshi mandir in south delhi, where he is staying, sources close to the shankaracharya said. the meeting lasted for over half-an-hour. union human resources development minister murli manohar joshi had met the seer late monday and discussed the issue. the kanchi seer also briefed vhp international working president ashok singhal on his talks with prime minister atal bihari vajpayee which went on till late monday, the sources said. during the over 90-minute long meeting, the pontiff is believed to have urged vajpayee to lift the restrictions enforced in ayodhya and allow the "symbolic" conduct of worship of carved stones at the undisputed land, the sources said. he also urged vajpayee to return the undisputed land acquired by the government to the ram janambhoomi trust. vajpayee on his part is believed to have apprised the shankaracharya of the limitations of the government and urged him to impress upon the vhp leaders to abandon their belligerent stand, the sources said. vhp had on monday announced its decision to go ahead with the shifting of carved stones to the ram janambhoomi site at 1415 hours on march 15 and begin temple construction work within three months. meanwhile, the hindu religious leaders and vhp top brass are holding a meeting at the vhp headquarters to discuss the outcome of the talks between vajpayee and shankaracharya. related stories