Narendra Modi replaces LK Advani in poster, BJP says not official

NEW DELHI: One of BJP's latest posters has a new face and a new slogan - Narendra Modi and "nai soch, nayi ummeed (new thinking, new hope)".

Earlier party posters had LK Advani's image with the slogan "Sushasan sankalp, Bhaajpaa hi vikalp (for good governance, BJP is the only option).

The new posters, which have emerged in parts of the capital, reflect the emergence of Modi, who was anointed BJP's national campaign committee chairman in June, as the party's face for 2014, and a generational shift in the party leadership. The slogan is in keeping with the party's strategy to reach out to the youth. Modi had a meeting with chiefs of the sub-committees under his leadership when he visited the Capital last week.

However, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the official campaign theme was yet to be finalised and that these posters could be an individual effort.

Modi will be addressing a youth rally in Hyderabad on August 11. The state unit is working on a poster and a slogan. The BJP in Andhra Pradesh had decided to charge a registration fee of Rs five per person, which will be donated for relief work in Uttarakhand after the recent natural calamity. However, the fee was not mandatory.