New Delhi, Aug 28 - Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat Friday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party would survive its present crisis and 'rise from the ashes'.

In a rare press conference, the RSS chief refused to speak openly about the infighting and the ongoing crisis in the BJP. He answered persistent queries of mediapersons on what role the RSS would play with - 'it is not necessary every time that the role (of RSS in BJP affairs) is visible'.

'The talk that they (BJP) are going towards an abyss is not correct. They got a jolt in the elections and they should get over it; and we think that they will be able to do it,' Bhagwat said.

This is the first time that the RSS chief, known as the Sarsanghchalak, was addressing a press conference since the crisis erupted in the BJP following the release of Jaswant Singh's book praising Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his expulsion from the party.

He said the BJP has a 'countrywide network' which would help it survive its present turmoil. 'It (the BJP) will rise from the ashes.