Narendra Modi has decided to boycott the BJP’s national executive meeting to be held on May 24 in Mumbai.

The meeting will ratify Nitin Gadkari’s second term as BJP president. If the reports are to believed, Modi is upset with Gadkari getting the second term as BJP present.

Modi’s absence has brought an apparent difference with the two party stalwarts over the BJP’s top job to the forefront. The Gujarat Chief Minister’s boycott is yet another example of his run-in with Gadkari. Notably, Modi had earlier turned down Gadkari’s request to campaign in UP for Assembly polls.

Party insiders suggest that Gadkari cut a deal with Narendra Modi to support him as PM for BJP’s 2014 campaign and in return Modi would support him for a second term as BJP president.

On Monday, Gadkari also hinted to return a favour categorically stating that he is not in the race to be the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

He also refused to be drawn into the issue of a second term as BJP president. “I have not approached anybody seeking a second term. Anyway, organisational issues are discussed within the party and not in front of media. Gadkari aimed at pleasing Gujarat strongman Modi.

The two BJP leaders have not even been on talking terms for several weeks now.