Modi meets Advani, declines Ayodhya invite

Modi’s meeting with Advani at the latter’s residence went on for an hour, with sources claiming it ended on a positive note. The meeting is viewed as Modi’s attempt to mend ties with the veteran BJP leader before he kickstarts his campaign on 23 June from Pathankot. It is learnt the two leaders discussed issues related to the party’s internal affairs and the recent split with JD(U).  The BJP, however, tried to downplay the meeting between the two leaders, ‘There is no acrimony, no complaint. Advani is a senior leader whom people keep meeting to discuss issues,’ said BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi. 

As Modi made efforts to iron out the differences within the party, he also declined an invitation to attend the ‘Amrit Mahotsava’ in Ayodhya. This move is being seen as an attempt made by the Gujarat chief minister to shed the ‘Hindutva’ tag that has been labelled on him and this being one of the prime reasons for the JD(U) walking out of the alliance. 

‘On June 13 Mahant Nritya Gopal Das had made a phone call to the chief minister and invited him to attend his Amrit Mahotsav that is being organised during June 19 to 22, 2013. But, he politely informed him that because of his pre-decided engagements it would be difficult for him to be present,’ said the statement from his office.

Earlier in the day, Modi also met senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, ‘Modiji has come to Delhi to express his gratitude over his recent appointment as Chairman of the BJP campaign committee at Goa. He has expressed his gratitude and said he is trying to fulfil the responsibility given to him,’ said Joshi. Modi also went on to meet ailing former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.