Panaji:
The BJP today declared that controversial Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will head the committee that will lead the party into the national elections, a decision ringed by dissent from some of its most senior leaders led by LK Advani.
The BJP's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, reportedly instructed the BJP to end its dithering and go public with Mr Modi's new role on the final day of a party conclave in Goa despite Mr Advani's absence. (Track live updates)
"Every political party treats elections as a big challenge. Keeping the campaign in mind, I have appointed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the campaign committee chairman," said party president Rajnath Singh, flanked by senior BJP leases including a grim-looking Sushma Swaraj, who is seen as an Advani loyalist.
The news of Mr Modi's promotion had been shared first with the party workers and leaders who attended the Goa conference, prompting ten minutes of thundering applause according to sources.
Mr Modi tweeted, "Spoke to Advani ji on the phone. He gave me his blessings. Honoured and extremely grateful to receive his blessings." He is likely to soon announce a trip to Delhi to meet with Mr Advani, said sources. (Read: 10 developments)
Mr Advani, who is 85, has never before skipped a meeting of the national executive - a group of 300 leaders who shape the party's strategy on important issues.
The veteran is reportedly concerned that the new starring role for Mr Modi will force the BJP to expend its energy on defending the Chief Minister's secularism. Instead, Mr Advani wants the party to leverage a bevy of corruption scandals to take on the government in the crucial next few months before the national election.
The RSS's writ calling for Mr Modi's urgent elevation is meant to convey that the BJP respects the wishes of cadres who have been publicly calling for the chief minister to be recognised and rewarded for his irrefutable strength as a vote-getter.
The BJP's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, reportedly instructed the BJP to end its dithering and go public with Mr Modi's new role on the final day of a party conclave in Goa despite Mr Advani's absence. (Track live updates)
"Every political party treats elections as a big challenge. Keeping the campaign in mind, I have appointed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the campaign committee chairman," said party president Rajnath Singh, flanked by senior BJP leases including a grim-looking Sushma Swaraj, who is seen as an Advani loyalist.
The news of Mr Modi's promotion had been shared first with the party workers and leaders who attended the Goa conference, prompting ten minutes of thundering applause according to sources.
Mr Modi tweeted, "Spoke to Advani ji on the phone. He gave me his blessings. Honoured and extremely grateful to receive his blessings." He is likely to soon announce a trip to Delhi to meet with Mr Advani, said sources. (Read: 10 developments)
Mr Advani, who is 85, has never before skipped a meeting of the national executive - a group of 300 leaders who shape the party's strategy on important issues.
The veteran is reportedly concerned that the new starring role for Mr Modi will force the BJP to expend its energy on defending the Chief Minister's secularism. Instead, Mr Advani wants the party to leverage a bevy of corruption scandals to take on the government in the crucial next few months before the national election.
The RSS's writ calling for Mr Modi's urgent elevation is meant to convey that the BJP respects the wishes of cadres who have been publicly calling for the chief minister to be recognised and rewarded for his irrefutable strength as a vote-getter.
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