BJP bigwigs leave even before Natl Exec meet ends

Bhopal, Sep 23 (UNI) Several key Bharatiya Janata Party leaders leaving the Madhya Pradesh capital even before conclusion of the party's three-day National Executive meet today has become a subject of discussion.

Party sources said that bigwigs including Arun Jaitley and Arjun Munda left for Delhi this morning. While former Union ministers Murli Manohar Joshi, Yashwant Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and many others left yesterday itself.

''It cannot be denied that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's absence somewhat lessened the gathering's attractiveness.

Mr Vajpayee usually speaks very less at such meetings but played the role of a serious and patient listener,'' an office bearer said.

An Executive member said that Mr Vajpayee's openness and simplicity were akin to that of a family elder therefore both new and old generation leaders easily confided in him.

During the meet, most seniors avoided speaking on controversial issues. On the first day, certain bigwigs made a few leadership-linked comments but the matter receded into the backdrop -- in a manner of speaking -- that afternoon itself after receipt of Mr Vajpayee's letter.

''It is true that public rhetoric over the leadership issue is not proper but it is a great truth it should be decided without the slightest delay. Mr Vajpayee may nominate someone and that will be the best solution to the matter,'' opined a senior.

UNI