Uttar Pradesh: Kalyan Singh skips BJP meet

Vrinadavan, Jul 14: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Kalyan Singh, Kalraj Mishra and Vinay Katiyar were conspicuous by their absence on the inaugural day of the party's two-day State Executive meet here today.

The meet got underway this morning with the inaugural address by state BJP President Ramapati Ram Tripathi.

National BJP Vice-President Kalyan Singh has been marginalised for long, owing to differences with the party functioning in the state. His differences with BJP President Rajnath Singh had been the hot topic in media reports for more than a decade in Uttar Pradesh.

Mr Singh had attended the last state executive meeting, which was held in Gorakhpur, a few months ago, but voiced reservations he had about the party.

Former state BJP President and National General Secretary Vinay Katiyar, who is also not very active on the organisational scene, also missed the meet.

Senior leader Kalraj Mishra was also absent at the inaugural session. However, he is expected tomorrow. Prominent among those who were present today included Lalji Tandon, Om Prakash Singh and RSS's all india organsiation secretary Ram Lal.

Many party leaders at the Centre, though absent today, are expected to be present tomorrow. Mr Rajnath Singh and Dr Murli Manohar Joshi would be attending the meet tomorrow.

UNI