File photo of BJP leader Arun Jaitley during an election rally
As voting ended in the mammoth nine-phase general election on Monday and exit polls began to predict the possibility of a
Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre soon, the BJP's
Arun Jaitley acknowledged that there were "many hurdles" in the way of naming Mr Modi the party's prime ministerial candidate. (
Narendra Modi-led BJP Set For Victory, Exit Polls Show)
Mr Jaitley wrote in his blog, "...despite many hurdles, on September 13, 2013 we did manage to decide on the candidature of Narender Modi as a Prime Minister. I had at that stage expressed an opinion publicly that Rahul versus Modi battle would be quasi presidential and Modi would score over Rahul in the electoral contest. Anti-incumbency against the UPA was high and therefore the election will be contested on the twin basis of anti-incumbency as also a positive hope in Narender Modi (sic)."
Celebrating that September decision which the BJP made overriding the objections of senior leaders like LK Advani and a walk-out by long-time partner Janata Dal (United), Mr Jaitley wrote that the "high point of this election was the energy displayed by Modi," noting that the PM candidate missed no meeting, traveled to the far corners of the country and even where the party had limited strength he "managed to create a momentum in favour of the BJP." (
Contenders 2014, The Making of 'Modi Wave')
Narendra Modi, who had hit the campaign trail immediately after he was named the party's candidate for PM, wrote on his blog as polling ended last evening, "Personally, this campaign has been a remarkable journey. In my Blog a few days ago I talked about how this journey was extensive, innovative and satisfying. I had never imagined that someone like me would find himself here today. This is the power of Democracy and this is the power of Bharat Mata." (
Also Read: Modi Apologises to 'Ganga Maa')
He also thanked people and said their "support and criticism made this journey a lot livelier," acknowledging that "this has been a hard-fought election. It had its joyous moments and there were heated moments as well." (
Also Read: In Blog, Modi Urges Record Turnout on Final Election Day)