'This is what he told me,' Bhagwat said.

Advani, who was the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, had announced his decision to quit after the Lok Sabha election results brought down the BJP's tally of seats from 138 in 2004 to 116 in the April-May polls, while the party was expecting a victory.

Later, other party leaders prevailed over him to continue as leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.