Advani and Jinnah.

The article focuses on Lal Krishna Advani, the 77-year-old president of India's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mr Advani, who went to Pakistan at the beginning of this month, hoped to help transform his image from anti-Pakistan hardliner to that of moderate peace-loving political leader. He wants to be seen as the natural successor to Atal Behari Vajpayee, a more moderate 80-year-old BJP leader who was prime minister until last year. Unfortunately, Mr Advani's emotional visit to Pakistan (including the city of Karachi where he was born) was too much for hardliners in the BJP and for some sections of the Sangh Parivar (the Hindu "family" of organisations) that tried only recently to oust him on account of his age. Mr Advani resigned as party president on June 6th. He eventually seemed to be softening his line on resignation, when BJP leaders agreed to recognise his Pakistan trip as a success, despite his remarks about Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Muslim founder of Pakistan. Mr Advani is also leader of India's parliamentary opposition. It is possible that, released from his party duties, he could emerge as a stronger politician.