On the eve of the BJP Chintan Baithak in Shimla, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat sent the party a clear signal that the youth must get precedence in the organisation since it is “a universal rule that the younger generation must replace” but “when and where, this is what they have to decide”.

He also said that contrary to popular perception, the RSS had not insisted on L K Advani continuing as the BJP parliamentary party leader after its defeat in the general elections.

“We did not say anything to Advani at that time. He himself said this was his own decision. Both his decisions (to resign over the defeat and of continuing later) were his own,” Bhagwat told Times Now.

On his recent meeting with Advani, he said he had “not issued any directive”. “He wanted to meet me. I was not in Nagpur that day. I said I was travelling in Delhi. He said it was OK and he wanted just an hour. It was lunch time, so we had lunch. He described all these things. I told him to think how this situation arose. I told him to resolve the differences, asked him to implement methods to restore the image of the party since the BJP was a disciplined party. I told him that all of them should sit and introspect. Personal considerations must be kept out. He was personally sad and said that such a situation was not there before.”

Bhagwat sent the party a strong signal when he said that the youth must be given precedence in the organisation. “I am not in politics but I would say that at my level we say 55-60, not more, should be the average age group.”

... contd.