Post SC Verdict on Ayodhya, MM Joshi Meets LK Advani

New Delhi: BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Wednesday met party veteran L K Advani and is understood to have discussed the Supreme Court's verdict restoring the criminal conspiracy charge against them in the Babri mosque demolition case.

The apex court order is being seen as a big setback to the two leaders whose names are doing the rounds for the posts of the President and the Vice President.

Joshi drove down to Advani's residence and both leaders were closeted for over 40 minutes. They are understood to have deliberated upon the verdict's political and legal implications.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also huddled with party chief Amit Shah and Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and M Venkaiah Naidu, at his residence.

Earlier in the day, the apex court allowed the CBI plea to restore the criminal conspiracy charge against Advani, Joshi and Uma Bharti in the 1992 Babri demolition case.

The top court also clubbed the trial in the matter pending against the leaders and 'karsevaks' and ordered day- to-day trial with the proceedings to be completed in two years.

Bharti, who had earlier in the day said she would go to Ayodhya tonight, cancelled her visit apparently after being advised by the party leadership.