The three-day national executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party will begin at Kushabhau Thackery Sthal in Bhopal with an opening address by party president Rajnath Singh, senior vice president of BJP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told rediff.com on Friday.

Naqvi admitted that the party will miss former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who will not be able to attend the meet due to his ailing health. "Of course, Atalji is our seniormost leader and we will miss him at the convention," he said.

This is the first time in many years that the national convention will be held without the stalwart's presence.

This year, the proceedings at Kushabhau Sthal will be monitored by the leader of Opposition in Parliament L K Advani. According to party insiders, the next elections will be fought under the leadership of Advani and the veteran leader will head the party if it comes to power.