No one can deny Narendra Modi's popularity: Rajnath Singh

KOLKATA: Amid growing popularity within the BJP over naming NarendraModi as the party's Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 general election, BJP president Rajnath Singh today evaded a direct answer and said that none could deny the popularity of the Gujarat Chief Minister.

"It will be decided by the central parliamentary board. I can't say anything as of now. But one thing is for sure, no one can deny the popularity of Narendra Modi," Singh said when asked whether Modi will be the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate in the next Lok Sabha elections.

A few days ago BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had said that Modi was one of the eight top BJP leaders who could be the party's prime ministerial candidate in the next Lok Sabha polls.

Modi had grabbed the limelight at the party's recent National Council Meet with Singh lauding him for three consecutive victories in the Assembly polls.

Singh also dubbed rumours of BJP veteran L K Advani being kept out of important decisions of the party, as hypothetical and baseless.

"As far as Advaniji is concerned, he is the senior-most leader of our party. He is not only our leader, but also our guide (Margdarshak)," Singh said.

"And, I can say one thing, Advaniji's contribution in taking the BJP to a national level cannot be forgotten. So these rumours of Advaniji being kept out of the decision making body is totally hypothetical and baseless," Singh added.