No decision on Modi as PM: BJP leader

A decision on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate will only be taken by the party's parliamentary board "when it is appropriate" and not when the national executive meets here next month, a BJP leader said Saturday.

BJP general secretary J.P. Nadda told reporters: "The decision for the post of prime ministerial candidate is for the party's parliamentary board to decide. They will take a decision on the issue when it is appropriate."

"The decision for the post of prime ministerial candidate is for the party's parliamentary board to decide. They will take a decision on the issue when it is appropriate," Nadda said.

Nadda was in Goa to brief reporters about the forthcoming national executive, scheduled to be held in June.

Nadda refused to admit that the BJP was playing cautious about deciding on its prime ministerial candidate.

The BJP's national executive will be attended by 340 party leaders, including all national office bearers, chief ministers, opposition leaders, organising secretaries, state presidents, etc.

BJP leader L.K. Advani, party president Rajnath Singh and some past presidents of the BJP would also be present, Nadda said.

Among the key issues to be discussed at the meeting would include the working out various strategies with an eye on the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls and discuss issues related to United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) malgovernance, corruption and its disregard of constitutional bodies like the office of the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Comptroller Auditor General, Joint Parliamentary Committees and even the Supreme Court of India.

"The UPA is at the height of arrogance and frustration. The BJP feels that the UPA has no right to stay and it has never been honest to the cause of the people," Nadda said.

Nadda also said that the meet would also discuss new alterations to India's external affairs strategy which he claimed was in shambles at the moment.

"Even our neighbours and small nations are not taking India seriously," Nadda said.

The three-day conclave in Goa will start with a meeting of the party's national office bearers on the opening day June 7, while the national executive will brainstorm on the two remaining days.