Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice-president K L Sharma said that the discussion would be useful for the government. However, it is uncertain as to when the meeting will take place. Sen is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Wednesday. But Vajpayee, on Tuesday evening, left for a holiday in the Andamans which will be followed by a two-day stay in Bangalore to attend the BJP's National Executive meeting. He is scheduled to return to Delhi only after a week.

Among other things, the National Executive of the BJP will discuss the attacks on missionary schools and churches in Gujarat. As for dealing with the Gujarat situation, Sharma said the party High Command and the government has instructed the Keshubhai Patelgovernment to ``deal firmly'' with those who are trying to take the law into their own hands.

The National Executive will also discuss in detail the reasons for the party's debacle in the recent Assembly elections and also chart out a new action plan for the party. Strategies for the 1999 Assembly elections in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Goa will also be framed, he said.

Also to be discussed in the meeting is how to improve coordination and ensure continuous consultation between the government and party.