Modi to be Declared PM Candidate between 09/09 before his 63rd Birthday on 17th Sep 2013. BJP is scouring the almanac to find a propitious date and time to declare Narendra Modi its candidate for Prime Minister in next year’s general election. Window of Sep 12 to 18 is being looked at. Proposal from workers to anoint Modi on his birthday, September 17, had been shot down to pre-empt charges of “histrionics”. Modi turns 63 that day, cadre felt the declaration would be a “birthday gift”. But leaders felt such a “gimmick” could detract from “gravity” of what a party lobby believes is the biggest gamble the BJP has taken since the Ayodhya agitation. Unpropitious phase of Pitrapaksha sets in on September 19, marking a period of stagnation when all major decisions are suspended. BJP began a two-day meeting with the Sangh and its affiliates here today. Sources ruled out an immediate announcement on Modi because the Sangh believes such a move would reinforce the perception that it was dictating terms to the BJP. Meeting of the BJP parliamentary board, party’s highest policy-making body, will be called before announcement, to be made by party president Rajnath Singh. Since last night, Rajnath & Modi have called on Sangh seniors, including chief Mohanrao Bhagwat, separately. For the first time in its 88-year-old history, Sangh, which prefers to be called a “socio-cultural” organisation, intervened publicly to micro-manage affairs of its political sibling, which was born under the name Jan Sangh. “Larger than life” presence of Advani, who is several years older than Bhagwat & his colleagues, his staunch opposition to Modi’s elevation had “compelled” Sangh to intercede. Even now, Advani & his confidante Sushma feel that decision is “being thrust” on them amid a “farcical” show of an attempt at a “consensus”, In 1995, when Advani unwrapped decision to project Vajpayee as putative PM, there was hardly any resistance although cadre thought Vajpayee a bit of a “pretender” & believed Advani deserved job. But Atal’s congeniality endeared him to most leaders & party officials. Modi’s acceptability within BJP remains in doubt.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 00:56:20 +0000
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