BJP: Who will take over from Advani?

Sunday ,August 30, 2009, New Delhi

The RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has helped the BJP with a roadmap for the party's future. A key part of that roadmap: figuring out who will take over from LK Advani.

At a press conference on Friday, the RSS chief said his approach to the BJP was hands-off, but he was on standby for advice.  That advice was sought just hours later when BJP leaders grouped around Bhagwat for a late-night consultation. Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar were given this plan of action.

The Sangh wants Advani to bring in the generation next leaders quickly.  Advani is likely to step down as Leader of the Opposition by the end of the year.  And the Sangh has made it clear that L K Advani's exit, when it happens, should be graceful and respectable.

 So who will take over from Advani?  Sushma Swaraj, currently Advani's deputy in the Lok Sabha, is the frontrunner to become Leader of the Opposition.

General Secretary Arun Jaitley has emerged as the frontrunner to take over as Party President from  Rajnath Singh, whose term ends in January.