New Delhi: The Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Lal Krishna Advani era in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is over. On September 13, 2013 the BJP came out of the shadows of Vajpayee and Advani to name Gujarat Chief Minister and party's election campaign committee chief Narendra Modi as the party's prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
BJP President Rajnath Singh brushing aside Advani's strong opposition went ahead and named Modi as the face of the party for the next Lok Sabha elections. The decision to name Modi was taken at the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting in New Delhi on Friday.
The meeting was attended by 10 of the 12 members of the Parliamentary Board. Apart from Rajnath Singh the other leaders who attended the meet were Murli Manohar Joshi, M Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Narendra Modi, Ananth Kumar, Thawarchand Gehlot and Ramlal.
Only former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is unwell, and a sulking Advani did not attend the meeting where this generational shift was decided.
After his nomination, Modi said, "I assure everyone I will work hard for BJP's victory in 2014 elections." He expressed his gratitude to the party and said, "BJP has always given me opportunity to serve the nation. The party has given an ordinary person like me a very important responsibility. I am a very small worker who comes from a very ordinary family."
In an attempt to reach out to Advani, Modi added he has always got blessings from Vajpayee and Advani. He even went to Advani's residence after the meet.
Minutes after Modi was anointed as the BJP prime ministerial candidate, a letter from Advani to Rajnath was made public in which he expressed his disappointment at the way the party is functioning. He wrote, "I spoke to you about my dilemma and also expressed my disappointment at the way BJP is functioning. I have decided that I will not come for the Parliamentary Board meeting."
Even though Advani had openly expressed his opposition to Modi's candidature, the BJP made the announcement sidelining the party patriarch. Advani's opposition can also turn out be an embarrassment for the BJP if Advani repeats the Goa scenario when he resigned from all the party posts after Modi was elevated as the poll panel chief.
Hours before the formal announcement was made, Rajanth had already informed the BJP allies - Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal - about the decision. He said, "The allies have endorsed the decision and extended their support to Modi's candidature." Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal has backed Modi's candidature.
While making announcement, Rajanth said it has been a tradition of the BJP to announce its prime ministerial candidate before Lok Sabha polls and it has been continuing since 1996.
Earlier, senior party leaders held a series of meetings with Advani in order to convince him. Former party President Nitin Gadkari, senior party leader Ananth Kumar, Sushma Swaraj met Advani at his residence but he remained defiant.
He also conveyed to Sushma and Rajnath that in case the party decides to go ahead with the decision, he will lose interest in working with the party.
There were celebrations in BJP offices across the country even before the announcement was made with Modi supporters carrying his posters, dancing and bursting crackers.
REACTIONS:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I congratulate Narendra Modi on being made BJP's PM nominee. His dynamic leadership will ensure astounding victory for the party.
Janata Dal united chief Sharad Yadav: The JDU always knew Modi would be projected as the prime ministerial candidate., so we parted ways. After Modi was anointed as party's poll chief, the JDU broke its 17 years old alliance with the BJP.
BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy: Rajnath Singh has fulfilled the dreams of lakhs of party supporters.
BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi: With Modi's projection as the prime minister candidate, the BJP has got a direction for 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad: Modi is the most popular leader in the country. He adds Advani is our national leader and he has formed the party.
Former BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa: Modis' experience as the Gujarat Chief Minister has enriched him as the prime ministerial candidate.
BJP leader Sushma Swaraj: I am happy with the decision. Modi will meet Advani to seek his blessings.
Congress leader Kapil Sibal: Some people want to advance Diwali celebrations, we will celebrate Diwali when time comes.
Sacked BJP leader and eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani: Country's destiny is in Modi's hand. That is why I am happy with the decision.
TMC sources: Modi's anointment completely internal matter of the BJP. Neither Modi nor Rahul Gandhi are going to become the prime minister. Next prime minister would be chosen from amongst the regional party.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury: What BJP does is its own internal matter.####Newsroom Buzz: Bhupendra Chaubey on Narendra Modi’s anointment as BJP’s PM candidate
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