Advani refuses to budge

Bharatiya Janata Party chief Lal Kishenchand Advani is believed to have ruled out withdrawing his resignation from the party chief's position.

Describing the reactions to his recent statements in Pakistan as 'most unfortunate', he told senior BJP leaders, who rushed to house on learning of his resignation, that it would not be possible for him to continue in the post.

Also see: Advani quit over Togadia's 'traitor' tag

Advani came under a sharp attack from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its allied bodies for his statement in Pakistan praising the country's founder, Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

Advani told his

colleagues he was particularly agonised over party leaders not reacting even after some people labelled him a 'traitor'.

A senior BJP leader who met Advani said: "He has refused to budge. It is unlikely that he would withdraw his resignation."

Also see: Top BJP leaders at Advani's house

Among those who are believed to have tried to persuade Advani were M Venkaiah Naidu, Sanjay Joshi, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Bal Apte, Anantha Kumar, Uma Bharati and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

Some senior leaders are now expected to meet former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Also see: Advaniji, yeh aapne kya kiya?