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Narendra Modi may be named PM pick by August 15
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The RSS leadership, which recently parleyed with BJP brass, has already given its go-ahead for the decision that will formally mark Modi’s arrival as the new strongman of BJP at the expense of fading seniors and his peers.
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"We have decided to announce Modi as the party's prime ministerial candidate on August 11. However, we are keeping the schedule a bit flexible to make adjustments in case of any unavoidable situation," a senior party leader said on condition of anonymity.
The RSS leadership, which recently parleyed with BJP brass, has already given its go-ahead for the decision that will formally mark Modi's arrival as the new strongman of BJP at the expense of fading seniors and his peers, and which might set the tone for the 2014 contest.
A small, although tenacious and influential section, in the BJP continues to oppose the idea of Modi being anointed as the PM candidate at this point in time on the ground that it will push Congress's failures into the background, and derail the party's plan to corner the UPA in the current session of Parliament.
However, the faction appears to have lost to those who argue for early projection in order to maximize gains by showcasing what is being touted as Modi's "talismanic" leadership. The need to quell the continuing discordant notes on who should be the party's PM candidate has been cited as the other reason for a swift closure on the leadership debate.
Sources said BJP chief Rajnath Singh had started sounding out members of the parliamentary board, the top decision making body of the BJP, to put a de jure seal on the decision.
As per the plan, Singh is to make the announcement in the presence of senior party leader L K Advani and Modi himself. Other members of the parliamentary board and senior party leaders, including CMs of party-ruled states, will also be present.
The parliamentary board will have a formal meeting before the announcement is made. Significantly, the party leadership, in its anxiety to have an early decision, is not going to wait for hundred percent turnout at the meeting of the board. The board will take the decision even if there are a few abstentions as long as the requirement of quorum: that is, the minimum attendance laid down in the constitution, is met.
Party sources said the RSS had during meeting with BJP leaders last Saturday conveyed their estimate about a groundswell for Modi, and suggested a formal announcement without further delay. Sources said the party leadership expects Advani, who had expressed strong reservations about Modi being declared as PM candidate, to come around.
The announcement is timed well ahead of the forthcoming round of assembly elections due in November so that any lingering doubt over the BJP's PM candidate is stubbed out and the party campaign gains a sharper focus. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram and will go for assembly polls in November.
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The BJP leadership is likely to formally declare by August 15 that Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi will be the party’s PM candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
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