Modi arrives in delhi, BJP to announce candidature soon

BJP informs allies on decision to project Modi as the PM candidate

Its nearly official now. BJP is expected to announce Narendra Modi as the party's Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok sabha elections.

Various media reports suggest that BJP President Rajnath Singh called Akali Dal chief, Parkash Singh Badal & Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray and informed them about their decision to project Modi. Both the allies have expressed their support to Modi's candidature. 

Narendra Modi has arrived in delhi to attend the parliamentary board meeting and the party is expected to make the announcement later today. 

Advani has also made it clear that he will not be interested in working for the party  once the decision to anoint Modi is taken. 

Senior leaders in the party said the decision to appoint Modi was “final” and the only question the party was mulling was how “harmoniously” the appointment could be announced. “When and how are the only two questions left to be answered,” said a BJP leader. 

The leadership of the party has failed to persuade L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi, even as party president Rajnath Singh played down differences within the party, saying “nobody is unhappy”. Nitin Gadkari once again met Advani and Sushma Swaraj to persuade them to accept Modi's candidature  

However, even as the party tried to reach a consensus, the search for the next head of the campaign committee has already begun. Sources in the party said the leader is likely to be one who is not a close supporter of Modi. This would ensure a balance is maintained between the Modi and the non-Modi camp of the party.

A fresh look is being taken on which issues the party would focus during the elections, and possible portfolios for senior leadership in the scenario of the BJP forming a government in Delhi. While, Modi is likely to retain the position of Gujarat chief minister, the party is also considering appointing a deputy chief minister to compensate for his migration to Delhi.