Questions over whether L K Advani will address BJP meet

BENGALURU: The stage is now set for the two-day meeting of the BJP National Executive beginning here tomorrow to finetune strategies including on blunting the opposition campaign on the land acquisition ordinance even as speculation mounted over whether veteran leader L K Advani would address the conclave.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here today joining party President Amit Shah and others in a meeting of the central office bearers to chalk out the agenda for the meeting of the newly-constituted Executive.

Shah told the leaders about BJP having become the largest party in the world after enrolling nearly 10 crore members. The meeting discussed the two resolutions to be discussed by the Executive.

"The party leaders lauded the efforts of the BJP President and all those involved in the membership drive and in making BJP the largest party in the world," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters about the meeting.

The Land Acquisition ordinance that is likely to be re-promulgated is one of the important issues that will be discussed at the meeting when leaders will attempt to evolve a strategy to counter the vigorous opposition campaign.

The government has been forced to re-issue the ordinance as it lacks numbers in the Rajya Sabha and the Opposition has mounted a vigorous campaign calling it anti-farmer.

On the eve of the meet, there was speculation whether Advani will address the conclave following reports that he was reluctant to speak.