BJP leader Rupala rubbishes speculation on Modi's absence at national executive

New Delhi, Sep 30 (ANI): Dismissing all speculation surrounding Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's absence from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive meet, senior party leader Purushottam Rupala on Friday said Modi was engaged in some urgent personal work and that is why he could not come.

"It is a very important meeting. But he (Narendra Modi) was engaged in some personal urgent work and that's why he could not come for it. It's not essential that out of all the expected members, everyone would be able to attend the meeting but it is very fortunate that entire country wants to know the reason behind his absence," said Purushottam Rupala.

"He is not employed in any other work apart from that of the party's. The work, in which he is engaged in, has also been given by the party," he added.

Speculations have been rife about a possible internal rift between Modi and BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani.

However, some BJP leaders denied the report and stated that Modi was unable to attend the meeting due to the fast undertaken by him during the ongoing 'Navaratra'.

The national executive meet began here amid slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. All BJP leaders present at the meeting stood up and sang 'Vande Mataram'.

BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu earlier this week said that the party will discuss the recent exposure about the Finance Ministry's note on 2G scam during its two-day national executive meet on September 30.

"The BJP national executive meet will be held in Delhi on Sep 30- Oct 1 to discuss the recent political development. It will also discuss the recent exposure about the finance ministry"s note on 2G scam," he said.

Naidu further said the meeting would also discuss the BJP campaign against corruption and also LK Advani's yatra across the country.

The BJP has sought a proper probe into the role of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in the 2G spectrum scam. (ANI)