New Delhi:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stoutly defended its leader Narendra Modi, who became the target of indirect digs at ally Janata Dal (United)'s national executive meet today.
Senior BJP leader Kalraj Mishra told NDTV that Mr Modi was hugely popular and like Atal Bihari Vajpayee a politician "who has taken everyone along".
He said Mr Modi is a follower of Mr Vajpayee's policies but comparisons should not be made between them.
"Narendra Modi is the BJP's most popular leader," Mr Mishra added.
JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar had earlier in the day asserted that only a Vajpayee-like leader who takes everyone along can lead the country. He said the NDA's prime ministerial nominee should have an "impeccable secular image" - the strongest hint from the JD(U) so far about Mr Modi's unacceptability.
The JD(U) is the largest constituent of the NDA after the BJP, with 20 members in the Lok Sabha. The two parties have been allies for 17 years and run a coalition government in Bihar.