Mumbai: The Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is scheduled to depart on June 19 evening, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) ongoing brainstorming session would deliberate over "Mission 2004" for a renewed and stronger mandate for the party in the next general elections.

Vajpayee is scheduled to leave by 5.30 pm (IST) after attending June 19 session of the party's crucial 'Chintan Baithak' being held at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini in Thane district, the party sources said.

The Prime Minister is going a day earlier due to his scheduled visit to China, commencing from June 22. This kind of 'Chintan Baithak' is being held after a span of eight years.

Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who arrived late on June 18 from a 10-day tour of UK and US and who could not attend the inaugural session of the 'baithak', will participate in the proceedings on June 19, sources said.

With Vajpayee in his inaugural address on June 18 stating that the atmosphere in the country was favourable to BJP and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the issue of advancing the general elections may crop up in the June 19 deliberations, sources added.

Similarly, the sources pointed out that Vajpayee showering wholesome praise on Advani and party president Venkaiah Naidu clearly indicated that the party leadership matter would not be discussed at all.

The 'Chintan Baithak' will conclude on June 20 by lunch after the "margadarshan" of Advani and concluding remarks by Naidu.

The BJP president is likely to address media persons on June 20 evening about the 'chintan baithak'.

PTI