Reconsider resignation: BJP leaders to Advani

Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh on Monday rejected the resignation of veteran LK Advani from all party posts.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh on Monday rejected the resignation of veteran LK Advani from all party posts, even as leaders lined up at the senior leader’s residence to persuade him to reconsider his decision. "I have not accepted Shri Advani ji`s resignation," Rajnath Singh wrote on micro-blogging website Twitter. Singh met Advani here but failed to persuade him to withdraw his resignation. Another senior party leader Sushma Swaraj too rushed to Advani’s house, expressing hope, "I am surprised he never shared it with us. I am confident that we will persuade Advani ji." Other BJP members like Venkaiah Naidu, Ananth Kumar, Balbir Punj and VK Malhotra too visited the 85-year-old leader at his residence to convince him to withdraw his resignations. BJP`s media in-charge Shrikant Sharma said Rajnath ji and other senior leaders have requested Advani ji to withdraw his resignation. BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, meanwhile, is reported to have told Rajnath Singh that Advani`s resignation will lead to the BJP`s downfall. Uma Bharti said she was troubled by the development and was confused. She added she will meet Advani, whom she respects a lot, tomorrow. Advani’s resignation came a day after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was appointed the head of the party’s election campaign committee for 2014 Lok Sabha elections.