Modi has acquired Vajpayee-like mass appeal: Yeddyurappa

Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) chief and former state chief minister B. S. Yeddyurappa on Friday welcomed the Bharatiya Janata Party's move to announce Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for 2014, and said the Gujarat Chief Minister has acquired wide acceptability and mass appeal just like former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"His achievements as Chief Minister of Gujarat have made him popular among young people, among farmers and several other sections of society across the country. Just like Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, Modiji has acquired wide acceptability and mass appeal," said Yeddyurappa.

"People hope for a new vibrant India under the able leadership of Modiji. His latest endorsement is only a stepping stone to a vital future," he added.

Yeddyurappa also made it clear that he would support Modi and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in future.

Modi earlier this evening thanked his party's central leadership for giving him such an important responsibility, and expressed confidence that the BJP would emerge victorious in the next general elections.

"The BJP has always given me the opportunity to work for progress and development of the party and the nation in various capacities. Today, the BJP's central leadership has given me a very big responsibility," said Modi.

"With the blessings of the national leadership and love of the party workers, I am sure we will win. I whole-heartedly thank the party workers and national leadership," he added.

Modi assured his party workers and supporters that he would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the BJP emerges victorious in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Modi, who is now meeting party stalwart Lal Krishna Advani, also sought blessings from the people of the country.

He also thanked the NDA partners for their blessings.

BJP President Rajnath Singh earlier announced that his party has chosen Modi as the prime ministerial candidate for 2014.

The announcement came after a meeting of the party's parliamentary board here this evening, which unanimously decided to project Modi as the prime ministerial candidate.

Advani was not present in the parliamentary board meeting.

Several attempts had earlier been made by senior leaders to convince Advani, who had resigned from all party posts when Modi was appointed the election campaign committee chief in Goa earlier this year.

The BJP President even met the stalwart at the latter's residence here on Wednesday, but failed to convince him.