Modi elevation evokes mixed reactions

Rashtirya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Ram Kripal Yadav feels the elevation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to the rank of the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign chief over L.K.Advani, is a move backed by America.

"Narendra Modi has cast a spell over Bharatiya Janata party. Narendra Modi is a candidate of America and all big capitalists of the country and a game of money laundering is being played. He has the backing of the rich and this is a game that America is playing, therefore he is able to overshadow and Advani is having a tough time due to Modi," Yadav said.

Spokesperson of the Congres party, Meem Afzal said, "We have stressed earlier also that Modi has always been and will be a dictator in future as well. Now its upto the people and BJP to decide whether they want Modi's dictatorship or not."

Another Congress leader Rajeev Shukla says his party is not afraid of Narendra Modi. "How can this party run the country when it can't even keep its leaders together? We are not afraid of Narendra Modi. We are ready for the fight."

Earlier today, Shiv Sena congratulated the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party poll campaign chief Narendra Modi, but stated clearly that he is not NDA's campaign chief.

Shiv Sena party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, "We welcome the decision of BJP. He is the BJP's campaign committee chief, not the NDA's. So no one should have problem."

BJP President Rajnath Singh earlier made the announcement on Modi and during his address he said, "We have decided Narendra Modi as chairman of the central campaign committee. This is an unanimous decision. We have full confidence that BJP will come to power in 2014."

"The whole party has faith that he will lead us to victory", he added.

The announcement came at the end of a dramatic two-day conclave that saw strong resistance from party veteran L K Advani and some other senior leaders to the appointment of Narendra Modi and chairman of the campaign committee.

Advani did not attend a national executive meet for the first time since the BJP was founded. There have been reports that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh wanted a decision to be taken in Goa regarding the appointment of Narendra Modi.