Why Jaitley spent over half an hour with Advani on Diwali

November 12, 2015 15:24

A Correspondent: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley spent more than half an hour with Bharatiya Janata Party veteran Lal Krishna Advani on Diwali day.

Sources say, the two leaders probably discussed the recent tension in the BJP following the electoral defeat in Bihar.

Four veteran leaders, including Margdarshak mandal members L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, issued a stinging statement that the party was being 'forced to kow-tow to a handful', its 'consensual character has been destroyed', and it has been 'emasculated' in the last year.

Although no names were mentioned, the statement is being seen as an unprecedented critique of the leadership of BJP president Amit Shah and Modi.

Jaitley has been playing the role of the moderator, sources say, adding that he was instrumental in getting the official reaction from the three former BJP chiefs.

Jaitley's meeting with Advani seems to be to bring a softening stance from Modi camp, sources say.

Sources add that it was the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leadership that directed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to speak against the dissenters, including Advani.

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