Vadodra, Nov 8 (PTI): Rattled by reports that all was not well between him and L K Advani, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday was at pains to deny any rift, sitting next to the BJP veteran whose Jan Chetna Yatra passed through Bharuch and Vadodara on the day.

On Sunday, several dailies and news channels had splashed pictures of Modi and Advani sitting on the dais in Vapi, separated by an empty chair.

Seeking to downplay the perceived rift, Modi said the chair between him and Advani at Vapi remained vacant because state BJP chief R C Faldu, who sat on it, was delivering his speech. “There is a visible major rift because the chair between Ananth Kumar and Advaniji was empty. If Modi is standing to deliver his speech, then his chair would be empty. All the national dailies had a big story about the chair between Ananth Kumar and Advaniji being empty. What has happened? Maybe just as we add spice to bland food, media sensationalises things,” the CM said.