Posted on Monday, May 18, 2009 - 12:18 am:

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A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party's [Images] stunning defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders on Sunday met L K Advani [Images] to deliberate on the poll outcome, but made no effort to persuade him not to give up the post of Leader of Opposition.

"Whatever decision is to be taken (on who should be Leader of Opposition) has to be taken by L K Advani himself and the party. The Sangh has no specific view on this issue," RSS leader Ram Madhav told reporters.

Madhav's comments came after three top RSS leaders Madan Das Devi, Suresh Soni and Bhaiyyaji Joshi met Advani. His remarks assume significance as BJP leaders are trying to persuade Advani to reconsider his decision of not being the Leader of Opposition again.

"The election results were discussed and exchange of notes took place in the meeting," Madhav said.

Asked about the need for the young leadership in the BJP to take charge on the lines of the Congress, Madhav said, "The party will have to analyse the results and then take decisions at the right time" as the Lok Sabha results "have not been up to the expectations of the party or the Sangh."

On whether the Sangh was also analysing the reasons for the dismal performance, Madhav said the Sangh does not have the capability to go into the reasons for the defeat.

"The BJP is in politics with the expectation that it will come to power," he said. Madhav denied reports that the RSS had formed a committee to analyse the Lok Sabha results.

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