The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will survive its worst ideological and political crisis created by the resignation of L.K. Advani, but only with deep wounds that could perhaps leave permanent scars.

When Advani, the most prominent face of the Hindu nationalist BJP, stepped down from the party president's post after being "hurt" by attacks from hardliners who once held him as their icon, a new chapter was opened in the conflict between ideology and practical politics.

Though top BJP leaders are engaged in backroom meetings, evolving a solution seems to be tough, as it would have to meet the irreconcilable objectives of protecting Advani's image and safeguarding the BJP's relations with its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) while maintaining its ties with political allies.

Even if Advani succumbs to pressure from the party to reconsider his resignation - which his supporters claim is impossible - he will emerge with a completely new image, which may not go well within the party and outside.

"Advani has been holding on to an image of a principled man having the courage of his strong convictions. So a climb down will be disastrous," a BJP leader known for his proximity to Advani told IANS.

Advani has hit at the very ideological base of the Sangh Parivar - which has always been perceived as anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan - by stating that partition of the Indian subcontinent was "an unalterable reality of history".

Sources said it was this statement rather than his remarks on Pakistan's founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah that irked the RSS and its affiliates.

"For the Sangh, this departure from prescribed principles cannot be accepted. The RSS has always stood for Akhand Bharat (united India)," the BJP leader said.

If Advani returns to the BJP chief's post, he might reincarnate himself in a more moderate image. But the RSS, which has always stood by Advani, might find it difficult to digest his new form.

Another problem, which came to the fore during the resignation drama, was the absence of a charismatic and powerful alternate leader in the country's second largest political party.

The dearth of second-rung acceptable leaders has been disturbing the BJP since its shocking and unexpected defeat in last year's general election. "But the question becomes more relevant now - who's next," admitted the BJP leader.

There are many on the list of potential leaders but no one capable of winning over both moderates and hardliners.

Though former central minister Murli Manohar Joshi is the seniormost and dear to the Sangh Parivar, he will not be able to woo pro-Advani leaders who constitute a strong section in the BJP.

Another Parivar favourite is Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, but he will be too much of a hardliner for acceptability among moderates and the BJP's allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Former BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu could be Advani's choice, but he carries a negative image after the party lost almost all the elections fought under him, including the 2004 parliamentary polls.

With the RSS itself mooting the idea of a younger leadership, all the 50-plus leaders - Naidu (57), Modi (54), Pramod Mahajan (55), Sushma Swaraj (53), Arun Jaitley (52) - are hopeful that the mantle will fall on them.

Another Advani favourite, Rajnath Singh, also stands a good chance, but he has too many rivals in the BJP.

"This is the problem. All these leaders are capable of pouring water on each other's chances. In the race for the top post, they keep forgetting about the party's prospects," said a leader of an RSS-affiliated organisation.

Sources indicated the BJP might have to rely on an interim leader for the time being till things are settled within the party and with its allies, especially ahead of crucial assembly elections later this year.