BJP President Rajnath Singh said tried to quash inferences on why LK Advani is skipping the party's National Executive meet today. "I have only advised Advaniji not to attend today's meeting due to his ill health. But tomorrow he is reaching Goa".

Asked whether the name of the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate will be announced at the national executive, he said, "We will see".

The news of Advani keeping away from the office-bearers meeting today led to speculation that he is registering his opposition in the midst of clamour among some leaders to declare Modi's name at the Goa conclave.

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said that media should not read too much into the absence of Advani from the meeting of office-bearers in Goa. "Don't try to read too much into his absence for today," he said in Panaji. Amidst the controversy, BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had said yesterday that "If someone is under the misconception that Advaniji is supporting or opposing someone then they should dispel it."