BJP on Modi announcement: Will live up to people's expectations

NEW DELHI: The BJP national president Rajnath Singh is likely to announce the elevation of Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi as party's chief of election campaign for Lok Sabha elections 2014. Speaking at a press conference in Goa, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said that the party cannot ignore expectations of BJP workers. Modi was recently appointed a member of the party's parliamentary board.

“Will give you the answer not in a few hours but in few minutes,” Hussain said on being asked about Narendra Modi's elevation.

Speaking to BJP cadres at Goa, Narendra Modi said, “We need the country free from Congress rule. Nation has never seen such brazenness and people are angry with Congress.”

“People still believe institutions and remember the work of Atal Bihari Vajpayee even today with confidence,” said Modi.

Modi said, “Country is going through a crisis of trust. Throwing the Congress out is a national project and not a political project.”

Modi took a jibe at UPA’s Bharat Nirman campaign stating that instead of ‘Aapka hak’, it is a case of ‘Aapka shak’, implying that the citizens of the country are suspicious of the national pitch by Congress.

Reflecting the mood in the party ranks, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar said Modi should be the "face of the party" at least six months before the general elections. Even Uma Bharati, seen to be close to Advani, wrote to party chief Rajnath Singh saying she will support any decision the party takes. Hussain announced that the BJP will hold nationwide protests against the UPA government from June 17 to June 22.

Hussain said that the BJP-led NDA is the only alternative to this Congress misrule.

The BJP top brass held a meeting here last night to sort out the loose ends and reach a consensus on the role to be assigned to Modi.

Sources said Modi’s supporters are keen that he be declared the Prime Ministerial candidate or at least the head of the campaign committee at the conclave. Shahnawaz Hussain said, “Congress is scared of the BJP. They believe Narendra Modi is a strong leader.”