Good win can make Modi PM candidate, says Thakur

Bihar BJP president C P Thakur on Tuesday claimed that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi could emerge as a potential candidate for Prime Ministership if the party registered a good win under him in the state.

"If the BJP registers a good win in Gujarat assembly elections, Narendra Modi can emerge as a potential candidate for the post of Prime Ministership," Thakur told reporters here.

He, however, said there were many capable candidates for the PM's post in the party, which would finalise a name at the appropriate time. "First the BJP has to finalise a candidate for the PM's post after the 2014 general elections then NDA has to approve it," he said, adding that the results of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly polls would have an impact on the country's politics. Asked to comment on Thakur's view, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said he had not seen the statement and could not comment.

On going to Gujarat to campaign for the party in the polls, Modi said "There is still a lot of time for campaigning to start in Gujarat ... If my services are required there I will definitely try to go there after seeing my engagements at that time."