Thakre has not even nominated anyone to attend the meeting in his absence, which means the party organisation will be unrepresented -- an indicator of the schism between the Government and the party. The party's failure to set up a committee to coordinate between the BJP and Government, as decided at the recent national executive conclave at Bangalore, has also been exposed.

The Government convened the coordination committee meeting last night apparently in view of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief J Jayalalitha's visit to Delhi and her participation in a tea-party organised by Janata Party president Subramaniam Swamy at Ashoka Hotel on March 29.

The meeting was planned in such a haste that there was hardly any time to consult the party. Thakre, therefore, left for Gujarat on a four-day visit this evening as per hisschedule, to attend some party functions.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Home Minister L K Advani will attend the meeting as Government representatives and not BJP leaders.

Asked why Thakre was left out, BJP vice-president J P Mathur shot back, "Why ask us, ask the convenor of the coordination committee George Fernandes. Obviously the meeting was planned so late that Thakreji could not alter his schedule".

There was no coordination between the Government and the party during first anniversary celebrations of the Government at Hauz Khas in the Capital. Besides, the party expressed strong reservations about the Government decision to start an insurance scheme for women who were raped.