New Delhi, Dec. 24: The BJP's old guard today hinted that they might give suspended MP Kirti Azad a shoulder to cry on but would not engage in a public battle on his behalf.

L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi set up a meeting at Joshi's house where they were joined by Yashwant Sinha and Shanta Kumar. Sources said the seniors decided they must "intervene meaningfully" to "stem the damage arising from Kirti's suspension" yesterday but would stick to BJP forums to air their views.

Unlike the last time they had got together, on Diwali-eve after the BJP's defeat in Bihar, no statement was issued today. Then, the veterans had said in a statement that the present leadership had "emasculated" the party.

From Diwali-eve to Christmas-eve, the ground rules appear to have been tweaked.

"We decided not to speak to the media, put out statements or do anything that would damage the BJP's interests," said Kumar, a Lok Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh.

Sources said the decision to meet was taken last night after Kirti telephoned one of the group.

Sinha, who did not contest the 2014 elections, was in favour of supporting Kirti openly and said he had "nothing to lose", the sources said. His son Jayant, who fought from Hazaribagh in his place, is Arun Jaitley's junior in the finance ministry. But the others - all three are Lok Sabha MPs - counselled caution.

The group agreed that action against Kirti was necessary to put on record that the BJP had dissociated itself from his campaign against Jaitley over alleged irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association. "He (Jaitley) is in the thick of budget discussions and cannot be subject to an MP's constant sniping," a veteran said.

But they said the charges purportedly listed in a letter from the BJP to Kirti to justify the suspension were "non-specific" and "questionable". The elders also argued that a showcause notice should have been issued and an explanation sought before the suspension.

Asked about the meet, BJP spokesperson Shrikant Sharma said: "They are our respected seniors. If we have reached this far in life, it is because of their leadership. We always welcome their guidance."

Kirti, who was in Ahmedabad, told The Telegraph over the phone he had sought time from Joshi. "So far his office has not got back," he said.

Joshi is expected to leave tomorrow for Kanpur, his Lok Sabha constituency, for the weekend. Sinha will be in Hazaribagh and Kumar in Himachal. Only Advani will be in Delhi.

But there was one individual in the BJP ready to come out in open support. Kirti said Subramanian Swamy, who is fighting the Gandhis in the National Herald case, had offered to help him draft a reply to the BJP's letter. Swamy tweeted: "Kirti issues are 1. Is cricket affair within the purview of party discipline 2. Due to SC case on BCCI, is party decision amenable in court."