Sanjay Joshi attends Gujarat RSS conclave

Former BJP General Secretary and RSS pracharak Sanjay Joshi arrived in Ahmedabad on Saturday to attend the ongoing conclave of the outfit, fuelling speculations about his return to the saffron party. Joshi, known as arch rival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had been expelled as the secretary of the party in 2005 following a controversy surrounding a "sleaze" CD purportedly featuring him.

"We will talk tomorrow on this once the conclave is completed," Joshi told reporters at the airport when he was asked whether his visit to the 'karyakarta shibir' in Gujarat is a prelude to his formal 'home-coming' to BJP.

Joshi, who was made in-charge of Uttar Pradesh BJP ahead of Assembly elections in 2012, quit from all posts of the party ahead of its national executive meet. According to reports, Modi was not in favour of continuation of Joshi.

"Joshi has always been a part of RSS which is like his home," senior leader Manmohan Vaidya said when asked about Joshi's participation at the event. RSS had invited former and present RSS pracharaks (full-time volunteers) from Gujarat - Modi, Joshi and Vaidya - among others, to attend the event.

However, an RSS spokesperson said Modi is not attending the conclave which is concluding on Sunday. Nearly 15,000 RSS workers are attending the three-day conclave which began at Kathwada area in Ahmedabad on Friday.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address the valedictory session.