In fact the RSS had made its mind long ago as far as Advani's role in the BJP is concerned. RSS has made it clear to Advani that he should be content with the role of a mentor and guide and that he should stop aspiring for the top job as he was already given a chance in 2009 that could not bear desired results.
RSS passed on this message to Advani before his Jan Chetna Yatra of 2011. Advani also got the hint that it's Modi whom the RSS plans to groom as the next big leader of BJP. A crestfallen Advani gave in to RSS diktats at that time and publicly clarified that he is not aspiring for any public post. It was at that time that the rift between Advani and Modi further widened.
The crack had first appeared when Modi refused to support Advani on his Jinnah remark. A miffed Advani had shifted the launch of his ‘Jan Chetna Yatra' from Gujarat to Bihar where Nitish Kumar flagged off his yatra.
The way RSS vetoed Advani's PM ambitions disillusioned Advani from his party's parent organization. And Advani has not forgiven RSS for that. That's why Advani has been privately telling BJP leadership that the RSS should stop interfering in BJP's internal matters.
But how can Advani object to this now, when he himself rode on RSS support for all his electoral achievements. Does it not amount to opportunism? He did not object to it as long as it suited his interests, but now he wants the RSS to stop meddling in BJP affairs because Modi, and not Advani, is their new poster boy.
