Senior BJP leader LK Advani (File photograph)
Will BJP veteran LK Advani deliver his traditional valedictory address at the party's National Executive meeting, which begins in Bengaluru on Friday? There are reports that the party veteran is not keen to speak, even though party leaders want him to.
The BJP is evading questions on the matter. At a media conference here today, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain only said senior leaders like Mr Advani will attend the meet and continue to "guide and bless" the party.
Mr Advani's address to the delegates is traditional. He has been delivering it every year since the party was founded in 1980 - and had failed to do so only on one occasion.
In June 2013, Mr Advani had not attended the National Executive meet held in Goa as he was reportedly upset over the move to project Narendra Modi as the party's campaign committee chief for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
In his absence, the meet named Mr Modi the campaign committee chairman. This infuriated Mr Advani further and he resigned from all party posts a day after the conclave ended on June 8.
Later, however, he was persuaded by party leaders to withdraw his resignation.
This year's meet will open with an address by party President Amit Shah, who chaired the meeting of the office-bearers today. PM Modi will also address the meet.
After Mr Shah took over as the party chief, Mr Advani and a few other senior leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi were made members of the party's largely ceremonial 'Margdarshak Mandal'. They have not played a very active role in party affairs since.