New Delhi, Aug 18 - A day ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) crucial brainstorming session, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat Tuesday said the young generation should take charge and that the party leaders should resolve their differences at the earliest.

Breaking his silence over the leadership crisis in the BJP, Bhagwat said: 'It is a universal rule that the young generation must replace the old generation.'

Bhagwat made his comments in an interview with television channel Times Now when asked about the aging top leadership of the BJP.

'When, where and how (it happens), they will have to decide the modus operandi,' he said, and added that 'transition is necessary'.

The RSS is the ideological fountainhead of the BJP.

Asked if senior BJP leader Advani should carry on for next five years as leader of opposition, Bhagwat said: 'That they will have to decide. If they come and ask for our suggestion, we will give it to them.'

About the transition to young leadership by the next general elections, he pointed out: 'We have been saying that since 2003. Whenever they ask us how should our party be, we have told them you have young men, bring them slowly forward. At all levels of the party.'

Asked about the factionalism in the party, Bhagwat said it had suffered a 'nasty jolt' in the elections and must address real issues and put an end to factionalism.

'It was a nasty jolt, quite unexpected, and it destabilised the party. Whatever happened was not very good, even BJP leaders have said this,' he said.

In a stern message to the party as it braces for its three-day chintan baithak (introspection session) that begins in Shimla Wednesday, the RSS chief said: 'They have to get their balance back and make amends to everything.