RSS will offer advice only if BJP seeks it: Bhagwat

NEW DELHI: In a clear message to BJP, passing through one of its worst internal crises, RSS chief Mohanrao Bhagwat on Friday firmly indicated that the Sangh would play a "role" in steering the party out its troubles.
While maintaining the typical Sangh position that it does not intervene or direct the BJP, Bhagwat said he would offer advice only if "help is sought".Having started the process of mending the party, Bhagwat expressed confidence that BJP would emerge out of its present crisis.
While trying to project that the Sangh did not interfere in BJP's internal affairs and would not do that in future, Bhagwat in a rare press conference said it was for the party to decide on who would be its next party chief or when L K Advani would step down from his post as Leader of Opposition.
The Sangh chief rejected BJP leader Arun Shourie's suggestion that RSS should take over the reins of the party and said, "BJP itself will have to decide on its matters, including leadership issue and whether L K Advani should go or stay." In fact, the Sangh also called Shourie a "respected intellectual" and left it to the party on what action it should take against the Rajya Sabha MP for writing and speaking publicly against several of his party colleagues.
On the attack on Advani over the Kandahar issue, Bhagwat said, "Advani is capable of replying to it and he will do it."
In his advisory role, Bhagwat however said he had told BJP chief Rajnath Singh, who met him on Thursday night, that party leaders should "work unitedly" and "move forward". He said the party had been jolted badly and needed to get its act together quickly.
"Whatever is happening (in BJP) is not good," said Bhagwat, who faced a volley of questions on BJP's squabbles. "(Lok Sabha) poll results have given a severe jolt to BJP. They will have to regain balance," he said, adding, "I feel they will be able to do it... BJP will emerge from the crisis."
He said there were "systems" and "procedures" in place in BJP which could be invoked to address its problems. Replying to a question, the RSS chief said, "BJP will not perish. It will rise from the ashes."
Asked whether he was hesitant to give any advice to Advani, like making way for youngsters, as he was older to him, Bhagwat disagreed and said it was due to "respect" that no suggestions were being forwarded. He wryly pointed out that RSS leaders in their 50s and early 60s were juniors in comparison to several BJP leaders.
Asked about his comments some time back favouring younger leadership, the RSS chief said his organisation was encouraging leadership within RSS to be between 55 and 60 years. But he preferred to leave it to BJP to decide on the leadership in the party. "In a political party, it is for them to decide the average age," he said.
Asked whether he was worried about the future of BJP, Bhagwat said, "We should be concerned about everyone, but we are not worried... everything will be alright."