BJP leader L K Advani will skip the party office-bearers meeting in Goa today, which will chart out the agenda for the party's national executive meet, due to "ill-health", triggering speculation over his reported reservations over projecting Narendra Modi as the next prime ministerial candidate.
85-year-old Advani, who is reportedly opposed to the declaration of Modi as head of the BJP Campaign Committee for Lok Sabha polls, may attend the two-day National Executive meet starting tomorrow if his health permits, sources close to him said.
BJP President Rajnath Singh said, "I have only advised Advaniji not to attend today's meeting due to his ill health. But tomorrow he is reaching Goa".
Asked whether the name of the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate will be announced at the national executive, he said, "We will see".
The news of Advani keeping away from the office-bearers meeting today led to speculation that he is registering his opposition in the midst of clamour among some leaders to declare Modi's name at the Goa conclave.
BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said that media should not read too much into the absence of Advani from the meeting of office-bearers in Goa. "Don't try to read too much into his absence for today," he said in Panaji.
Amidst the controversy, BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had said yesterday that "If someone is under the misconception that Advaniji is supporting or opposing someone then they should dispel it".
Modi's role in the next Lok Sabha election is expected to be the dominant theme of the BJP National Executive, amid a strong demand from some sections of the party for declaring him the campaign committee head.
