Coalition not a compulsion, but 'religion', says BJP

Naqvi says there is no pressure from NDA partners to keep Modi away for the next parliamentary polls

The BJP today said that the coalition for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls is not a compulsion for the party, but it is a "religion".

To a query, the party also said that there is no pressure from NDA partners to keep away Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the next parliamentary polls.

"Coalition is not a compulsion for us. We have proved the credibility and stability of coalition during our erstwhile tenure. We consider alliance as a religion," BJP national vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters here.

The BJP is all set to hold its office bearers' and National Executive meeting in Goa tomorrow onwards.

Naqvi recalled that different question marks were raised when NDA came to power under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"But we proved our credibility and stability by running the government through common minimum programme and agenda for development," he added.

Naqvi said that the NDA alliance will be stronger and would be expanded in the coming days.

"We will inform you at the right time (about the expansion of NDA)," the BJP leader stated.

Responding to a question, Naqvi said there is no pressure from any alliance partner to keep away Modi during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"There is absolutely no pressure on us from the coalition partners," he said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had earlier expressed his reservations over projecting Modi as the prime ministerial candidate.