'Key RSS meet may decide BJP leadership change'

Marathon rounds of meetings between the RSS top brass with BJP leadership in New Delhi might have prepared a ground for leadership change.

But real changeover in BJP is likely to take place only after RSS national executive meet in October.

According to highly placed sources, RSS is expected to chart a final blueprint for BJP succession plan in its three-day national executive meet which is slated to take place in Rajgir in Bihar from October 9-11.

Although publicly RSS claims that BJP is going to decide its own future course of action as per the leadership issue is concerned and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had reportedly asked Leader of Opposition L K Advani to decide on his successor.

But top RSS sources insist that Sangh will take final call on BJP leadership only after the October''s national executive.

All eyes within BJP and outside will be on two key positions on which the decision is to be taken in the crucial RSS meet.

BJP''s president Rajnath Singh tenure is ending in November and BJP-RSS combine has to appoint the new president.

The BJP has made it clear that Rajnath Singh will not get second term as president because according to the constitution same person cannot be repeat the term as a president and party is not looking in a mood to amend the constitution.

According to sources, while RSS is trying to rope in a fresh face like Bal Apte or Narendra Modi for the prestigious position, Advani camp is reportedly pitching for Arun Jaitley, Ananth Kumar and Venkaiah Naidu. Similarly, ambiguity continues over who will take the baton from Advani as the Leader of Opposition.

While speculations are rife that Sushma Swaraj is the first choice for the post. But Murli Manohar Joshi and Rajnath Singh who held lengthy discussions with Mohan Bhagwat are also seen as key contenders.