BJP goes into huddle ahead of counting of votes

BJP top brass today went into a huddle to discuss the possibility of the party forming the government at the Centre and changes in the organisation ahead of counting of votes on May 16.

BJP leaders also discussed the possibility of seeking the support of some parties including the BJD, AIADMK and NCP.

The party has already made it clear that it is not averse to receiving support from any party which has even a single MP and will welcome it if it supports the BJP agenda.

Senior BJP leaders held a series of meetings in the capital since morning with party President Rajnath Singh meeting Sushma Swaraj at her residence here, before she flew to Bhopal.

Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari also met her today. The meeting lasted around half an hour. Gadkari is playing an active role in negotiating with groups within the party. He had yesterday met BJP patriarch l K Advani amid speculation about his role in the next government.

Senior party leaders Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah also held a meeting at the former's residence to discuss the situation arising out of exit poll results that favour an NDA government from coming to power.    

Rajnath, Jaitley and Gadkari are also slated to meet Narendra Modi in the afternoon to discuss the possibility of a possible government formation in case the NDA received a majority.

Speculation is also rife about some changes in the party if NDA comes to power. Sources in the party feel that there is unlikely to be any change in the party leadership and Rajnath Singh may have to continue as party chief, though Gadkari's name is also being floated to replace him.

Gadkari on his part has ruled out his taking over the party and said Rajnath will continue to steer the party as he had ahead of the lok Sabha elections.

Sources point out that RSS has also advised the BJP not to weaken the party in case it forms the government and that the pary should remain strong and vibrant even after a BJP-led government comes to power.

Sushma Swaraj later told reporters that nothing much should be read into her meetings with Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari.

"Any speculation about my meetings with Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari is totally wrong," she said.

Terming the meetings as merely "courtesy visits", she said, "We wanted to meet each other ahead of poll results. When they came to know that I was going to Bhopal and will not be here, they came to meet me. It was a routine courtesy meeting. It was nothing more."