New BJP posters featuring Narendra Modi and a new slogan
has officially replaced LK Advani in the latest poster unveiled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the grand launch of its 2014 election campaign, ending any lingering doubts about the party's top star and Prime Ministerial face.
The new BJP posters starring the Gujarat Chief Minister are set to make a splash with the new slogan: "Nayi Soch, Nayi Ummeed. (New thinking, new hope)". The posters have reportedly been approved by the party's campaign panel.
The posters replace the BJP's old banners which had LK Advani's image with the slogan: "Sushasan sankalp, Bhaajpaa hi vikalp (BJP is the only option for good governance)'.
The new posters mark the end of an era when leaders like Mr Advani and former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee shared top billing on giant banners - perhaps a message to the faction within the party that still has reservations about Mr Modi's stewardship.
The hoardings will debut on August 11, when Mr Modi formally launches the party's campaign in Hyderabad, the Andhra Pradesh capital currently abuzz with the creation of a new Telangana state.
The blitzkrieg will precede the expected anointment of Mr Modi as the party's prime ministerial candidate next month, which the party hopes will help it cash in on his popularity in upcoming Assembly elections in five key states.
There is a strong possibility of an announcement before those polls are notified around September 21, after a clear go-ahead from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJP's ideological parent.
As a precursor to the big announcement, Mr Modi was recently elevated by the BJP as the party's campaign committee head for next year's elections.
The BJP and RSS also reportedly reckon that general elections, due in May next year, are unlikely to be held before February and they want Mr Modi to get a six-month window to build his campaign.