Now, Jaitley endorses Modi as PM-in-waiting after Advani

Narendra Modi on Saturday got yet another endorsement from a key BJP leader as party's future prime ministerial candidate with senior leader Arun Jaitley saying that he would be happy to see the Gujarat Chief Minister occupy the top post after L K Advani.

"Modi has ruled Gujarat state which has now become role model for other states in the country," Jaitley told reporters in Vadodara.

"I along with other BJP workers will be very happy if Shourie's wishes would come true," he said when asked to comment on colleague Arun Shourie's comment hinting Modi could be BJP's prime ministerial candidate in the next general elections.

"Gujarat has the opportunity to elect PM this time and next time also you will have the opportunity to elect the PM from this state," Shourie had told reporters in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Jaitley said at present BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate was Lal Krishna Advani. The former union minister said he will be very happy if Modi becomes prime minister after Advani.

"Modi has been working very hard for making Advani the Prime Minister of the country as he has been extensively touring various parts of the country and campaigning for the party," Jaitley said.

When asked whether Shourie's comment on Modi becoming the Prime Minister in 2014 meant that Advani would retire before the next polls, Jaitley replied, "talk now about 2009 Lok Sabha poll. Rest we shall keep for later."

Though Shourie had said it was his "individual view", the BJP too indicated that Modi could be next in line after Advani to be the party's prime ministerial candidate.

"Narendra Modi is doing a good job. He is also a capable leader and we are very proud of him. Of course, he can be a candidate for the PM's post in the future after Advani.

"There is every possibility of him becoming Prime Minister. Whether he will become (PM) and how will be decided by the party," BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad had told reporters in New Delhi.