BJP in mood to make announcement on Modi

The declaration could be made soon notwithstanding Advani's opposition

BJP leadership on Thursday appeared to be in a clear mood to announce Narendra Modi as the Prime Ministerial candidate, with its President Rajnath Singh seeking to downplay party veteran L K Advani's reservations, saying "nobody is unhappy".

There were indications that the announcement could be made at the earliest notwithstanding Advani's opposition as attempts to convince him failed.

Hectic activity was underway in the party to evolve as much consensus as possible. In this context, senior party leader Ananth Kumar met Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj, who is also said to be having reservations to Modi's projection.

Rajnath Singh is set to meet Swaraj. Last night, he had called her up to discuss the issue.

Rajnath Singh met senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi also last night.

"I want to clarify that nobody in BJP is unhappy and nobody has put any conditions (on declaring Modi as PM candidate)," the party President said this morning when asked about Advani's opposition and whether there was any hitch in declaring Modi as BJP Prime Ministerial candidate.

Asked when the party's Parliamentary Board meeting would be convened to take the final call on Modi's projection, he said "it will be conveyed to you whenever it will be announced."

Rajnath Singh had a 30-minute meeting with Advani yesterday to persuade him on Modi's candidature but failed to get an assurance.

The moves to formally announce Modi as the candidate gained momentum after the go-ahead given by RSS last week.

Signficantly, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is in Gandhinagar today and Modi is expected to meet him.