New Delhi : In  a major step towards ending the ongoing political  crisis in Karnataka, BJP President Nitin Gadkari met senior leader LK Advani on Thursday night and held talks with the latter.

The  high command is expected to take a final decision on leadership change by July 10 and as a prelude was consulting all leaders. The party parliamentary board is also expected to meet prior to this.

Dharmenda Pradhan, BJP affairs in-charge of Karnataka met senior leader Sushma Swaraj and held talks with her. The leaders reportedly discussed the need to appoint Shettar as the chief minister of Karnataka  in view of the ensuing assembly elections. According to reports Sushma  too on lines of Advani has suggested against a leadership change.

It is learnt that Ananth Kumar,Gadkari and Pradhan too held talks on Wednesday night and the talks centered around making Shettar as the chief minister and then either KS Eshwarappa or R Ashok as the Deputy CM. However, Eshwarappa is learnt to have conveyed the message that he would like to continue as State BJP chief if not given the CM post.

It is learnt, Advani was of the strong view to go in for fresh elections instead of a leadership change. Meanwhile, Shettar who has  met almost all party leaders except Advani, has returned to Bangalore.