After exiting the Lok Sabha leader of opposition’s post, Advani might take on as chairman of the parliamentary party or chairman of the NDA.
LK Advani is all set to step down as leader of opposition in Lok Sabha as early as on Friday itself. Top leaders in the party confirmed Advani was likely to announce his resignation at a meeting of the party’s parliamentary group, to be held on the last day of the Winter Session of Parliament.
“It could be on Friday itself, if the government decides that it wants to adjourn the house sine die a day in advance. If not, the meeting will take place on Monday,” a senior MP in the party said.
After exiting the Lok Sabha leader of opposition’s post, Advani might, after an amendment by the BJP parliamentary party, take on as chairman of the parliamentary party or chairman of the NDA. The post of NDA chairman is at present held by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Sources in the party also confirmed that Rajnath Singh would step down as party president at a meeting of the BJP parliamentary board over the weekend. Nitin Gadkari’s name will be endorsed by the board as the new president at the same meeting. Later, the party’s national council will formally elect him sometime by end of January.
At Friday’s meeting, Advani is likely to indicate that Sushma Swaraj will lead the party in Lok Sabha in his place. Swaraj is currently deputy leader of opposition. Thus in the space of two days the leadership change in the party would be complete.
“Other posts, too, will be up for grabs, like that of deputy leader of the opposition, for which there will be a tussle between Advani loyalist Anath Kumar and others,” the source said.
“We expect all these matters to be settled by December 25, Atalji’s birthday, when the new president will visit him to seek his blessings,” said the source. Officially, the party remained mum on the matter, hoping that the transfer of power could take place without much embarrassment to anyone. “Things will unfold at their own pace,” Sushma Swaraj said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}