Bharatiya Janata Party circles are agog with speculation about Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's sudden and surprise visit to Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's residence on Monday.
They duo is supposed to have discussed the recent developments in the party and the four-day Chinthan Baithak (brainstorming session) in Mumbai beginning June 17.
Other than the prime minister, it is Vice-President Shekhawat who is 'most knowledgeable about the goings-on in the party' and is emerging as a peacemaker.
The BJP has been in turmoil over the past few days ever since party president M Venkaiah Naidu made the announcement about Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani jointly leading the campaign to retain power during the general election in the second half of 2004.
Considered an Advani loyalist, Naidu, partymen believed, was only trying to give his mentor his due. Vajpayee expressed his displeasure in his own inimitable way.
Though Naidu tried to clear the air, with some help from Advani and Vajpayee, the issue has not yet died down, at least within the party.
National Security Adviser and Vajpayee loyalist Brajesh Mishra was also dragged into the inner party squabble when Union Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi invited him for a breakfast meeting.
The contents of the meeting are not known but the incident reportedly created ripples in the Advani camp.
The talk is that a faction comprising Vajpayee, Joshi and Mishra wants to weaken the hold Advani has on Venkaiah Naidu, and hence the party. Towards this end, BJP sources expect the Vajpayee faction to target Naidu.
With Advani out of the country since June 8, his opponents have taken the opportunity to formulate their strategies.
After the Loh Purush and Vikas Purush controversy, there have been a series of quiet meetings among senior BJP leaders.
Being the Vice-President, Shekhawat is compelled to stay away from party meetings.
But he is regularly briefed about goings-on in the three factions - led by Advani, Joshi and his close friend Vajpayee.
Hence, his advice is often sought in party matters.
With his unique position, Shekhawat is emerging as a negotiator who may be able to bring about a compromise between the warring factions in the BJP.
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