Tuesday, August 23 2005 13:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Scotching speculation that them deferred national executive of the party could be further postponed in view of the brewing dissidence in the party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President L K Advani today (Aug 23, 2005) categorically said that it would be held as scheduled in mid-September in Chennai.

"It will be held as scheduled", he told sources emerging from the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, when asked whether the party planned to defer it further.

The meeting, which was scheduled to be held in July, was postponed following Advani's standoff with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which had asked him to step down in the wake of his controversial remarks on Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Several party leaders, including former party Presidents Bangaru Laxman and Jana Krishnamurthy, had written to Advani last month urging him to discuss all controversial issues including the principle of 'one man, one post'.

Apparently wanting to avoid embarrassment, the party chose to postpone the three-day meeting in Chennai, though officially it was stated that the conclave was deferred in view of the Monsoon session of Parliament.

However, with fresh dissidence in the party ruled states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, some party leaders were of the opinion that it should be postponed till BJP sets its house in order. Others said the meeting be postponed to enable the party concentrate on the upcoming Assembly polls in Bihar.