NEW DELHI: Indicating that BJP president L.K. Advani was back in control of the organization, the party is planning to take disciplinary action against senior leader Madan Lal Khurana for demanding a change of guard. Mr Khurana had demanded that Mr Advani resign from the posts of leader of the opposition and party president.

BJP parliamentary party spokesman V.K. Malhotra declared on Monday that Mr Advani would continue in both posts during the monsoon session of the parliament. The monsoon session begins from July 25 and continues for a month.

The RSS, which on Sunday evening “reached an understanding” with the BJP, made it clear it would not intervene in the internal affairs of the party. However, fearing a revolt by a section of the “old guard” and “disgruntled elements” in the organisation, the BJP has decided to postpone its national executive, which was to begin from July 21 in Chennai. The new dates for the national executive are September 16 to 18. Mr Advani could use the time to “cleanse the dissident elements” in the national executive, sources disclosed. However, Mr Advani has reportedly conveyed that he is “not in the mood for any action (against the dissidents)”. RSS sources said a decision on the principle of “one man, one post could be taken at the national executive”.

The RSS, which had launched a “quit Advani movement” and was behind instigating the anti-Advani camp, appears to have suddenly backtracked on the issue, at least for the time being. RSS spokesman Ram Madhav said, “An understanding between the BJP and the RSS has been reached.”

Sources disclosed that Mr Advani, who was under pressure from the Sangh to quit one of the two posts, broke the ice when he spoke to RSS sarsangchalak K.S. Sudarshan from the residence of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Saturday night. Earlier, however, Mr Vajpayee had already established contact with RSS heavyweights, including Mr Sudarshan and Mr Mohan Bhagwat.

Mr Advani on Sunday evening went to the RSS headquarters, a tactical move that finally “satisfied the egos” of the RSS leaders. During the course of the meeting, Mr Advani assured the RSS leadership that the party would adhere to the ideological plank of the Sangh and that there would be “no deviation”.

In the bargain, Mr Advani was given the “freedom to decide the timing of his exit”, which could range from September to December.—By arrangement with AsianAge/Delhi