With the Assembly elections slated in nine states this year, senior BJP leader L K Advani is expected to embark on a nationwide tour after the party's National Council finalises the schedule.

Advani, who has just returned to the national capital along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri after a three-day visit to Rishikesh, would avoid any Rath Yatra this time and instead conduct "random tours" of the states concerned, BJP sources said on Thursday.

"The National Council meet will decide upon the final plans for Advani's tour after inputs from various state units and as per the suitability," they said.

BJP President Rajnath Singh had toured drought-affected Vidarbha in Maharashtra and is likely to visit Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh after the council's meet next week.

Advani, his wife and daughter performed 'Ganga arti' at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh and took the blessings of Muni Chidanand, party sources said in Dehradun.