Modi on lips but not on agenda yet

Two-day BJP national executive meet begins today

TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: The meeting of BJP national office bearers and state presidents, which took place at the Goa Marriott Friday did not take a decision on elevating Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as campaign chief for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

While speculations have been rife over the rift within the BJP over the prime ministerial candidature of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, senior party leader Sudhanshu Trivedi on Friday clarified publicly that there is ‘neither pro Modi nor anti Modi or Pro Advani atmosphere in the party’.

BJP Spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi said responding to the question over a rift within party over Prime Ministerial candidature, while addressing a press conference Friday. Interestingly, the agenda for the two-day national executive, beginning from June 8, does not include the appointment of a campaign in-charge for the forthcoming polls.

Trivedi said that there are no differences in the party on prime ministerial candidature of either of its leaders. “There is neither pro nor against Modi or Advani or any faction atmosphere within the party.” 

Trivedi claimed that the entire controversy surrounding Modi and LK Advani was media creation.

“You are trying to introspect too much into the absence of Advani for a day. He will be coming tomorrow (Saturday),” he said, responding to the question. Advani skipped the office bearers meeting Friday citing health reasons. He is expected to arrive in Goa on Saturday.

Responding to a question, Trivedi rubbished the suggestion that party leader Sushma Swaraj was upset over the alleged treatment meted out to Advani in the backdrop of the national executive committee meeting where he is, allegedly sidelined at the cost of Modi. The question came as the office bearers meeting was delayed by 90 minutes as Swaraj reached late.

Trivedi said that the media speculations that Swaraj was upset and was later convinced by party president Rajnath Singh to join the meeting was an “imagination.”

“The parliamentary board will take a decision on the prime ministerial candidate,” he said adding that the board members were present for the meeting.

Meanwhile, Trivedi, listing out the issues on national executive’s agenda for next two days, did not list the campaign committee for the Lok Sabha polls as the point of discussion. The national executive, he said, will discuss on national security, national pride, corruption and political strategy during next two days.

“We will inform you as and when the decisions are taken,” he said responding to a question on whether the announcement on Modi as campaign manager would be made.