Subramanian Swami asks BJP to declare Narendra Modi as its PM candidate

PATNA: Janata Party president Subramanian Swami today asked the BJP to declare Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate at the earliest to ensure majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

"Had I been in the BJP's place, I would have immediately declared Modi as my party's prime ministerial candidate to maximise gains in the next general elections," Swami told reporters here.

"I will be pleased to no end if the BJP heeds to the public mood and declares the Gujarat chief minister as its prime ministerial at the earliest," Swami said.

At the same time, it was for the BJP leadership to take a call on the issue of its prime ministerial candidate, the Janata Party president said when asked whether he would press BJP leaders for Modi's early anointment as the PM candidate.

Asked about reactions to the CSDS survey which forecast the BJP's emergence as the single largest party in the next general elections, he said that he was sure that the NDA would get a majority on its own.

On the contaminated midday meal which claimed the lives of 23 children, Swami said it was a national shame.

The Janata Party president demanded an investigation into the matter either by NIA or CBI.

He said that there was a provision in the inquiry act to rope in central agencies to investigate or give assistance in state specific incidents.

Swami criticised the Nitish Kumar government for returning Rs 400 crore last year under the MDM scheme and said that the funds could have been used for better infrastructure for it.

On the contaminated midday meal which claimed the lives of 23 children, Swami said it was a national shame.

The Janata Party president demanded an investigation into the matter either by NIA or CBI.

He said that there was a provision in the inquiry act to rope in central agencies to investigate or give assistance in state specific incidents.

Swami criticised the Nitish Kumar government for returning Rs 400 crore last year under the MDM scheme and said that the funds could have been used for better infrastructure for it.