Narendra Modi steals the thunder at BJP meet

NEW DELHI: Gujarat chief minister NarendraModi may not have been among the faces of the national BJP leaders gazing down from hoardings at the venue of the party conclave. But on the ground, he unmistakably was the star of the show.

While the enthusiasm of the cadres to make Modi the BJP’s Prime ministerial candidate was palpable at the two-day national council of the party which began in the national capital on Saturday. Sensing the mood, BJP president Rajnath Singh not only reiterated his praise for Modi, but also made the gathering of over 4000 and the entire leadership of the party seated on the dais give him a standing ovation.

Saying that “words were not enough to hail Modi”, he garlanded him amid a loud applause and cheering. A section in the audience shouted “desh ka neta aisa ho, Narendra Modi jaisa ho”, as Singh complimented the Gujarat strongman for his third consecutive victory in Gujarat. Earlier, at his address at the party’s national executive meeting, Singh had, more than once, commended Modi.

“Gujarat has become a model state in the world due to the immense industrial boom it has seen under the guidance of Mr Narendra Modi,” he said. When Singh, while winding up his speech with a call to party workers to prepare for elections, asked “what will happen in 2014”, some shouts could be heard saying “Narendra Modi”. Later, the Gujarat model in manufacturing sector came in for praise by leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley who spoke on the party’s economic resolution.

The “Modi for PM” clamour began right from the entrance of the Talkatora stadium, where the party is holding its meet. A group of youngsters held banners saying “Modi ko lao, desh bachao”.

Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel too echoed this sentiment while welcoming the leaders to the meet. “Though the prime ministerial candidate will be chosen later it appears as if he (Modi) is the PM. Everybody wants that Modi should be the Prime minister,” he said and quickly added that the decision was yet to be taken.
At this meet, Modi is expected to be named to the BJP parliamentary board, the apex decision-making body of the party.