Modi to skip BJP meet? It's personal, aide says

New Delhi/Ahmedabad, May 16 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is expected to skip the upcoming BJP National Executive meet in Mumbai, with an aide saying it will be his personal decision.

Although no one in the Bharatiya Janata Party is ready to confirm mounting speculation about Modi's reported move, party sources in Gujarat are more forthcoming.

'I don't know if he is attending the meet or not. It is going to be his personal opinion. Personal opinions are not expressed on party platforms,' Vijay Rupani, the Gujarat BJP vice-president, told IANS.

Added Jagdish Bhavsar, the state BJP spokesperson: 'It is too early to say whether he will attend or not.'

Bhavsar said a 10-member party delegation from Gujarat would take part in the May 24-25 National Executive meet.

Modi is said to be upset with BJP president Nitin Gadkari, one of the reasons being the latter's decision to give a key role to Sanjay Joshi in the recent Uttar Pradesh elections.

Modi and Joshi do not eye to eye in party affairs. Eventually, the BJP suffered a huge defeat in Uttar Pradesh.

Modi had also kept away from the National Executive meet held in Delhi last year.

At his media briefing in parliament Wednesday, BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi was asked if Modi will go to Mumbai. Joshi said: 'You better ask him (Modi), I can only tell where the rupee is going.'

Another party leader said on the condition of anonymity: 'If someone has some pre-occupation, he may not be able to come.'

--Indo-AsianNews Service

ao/mr