TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Biting the bullet and pushed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday declared Narendra Modi as the election campaign committee chief for 2014 general elections.
BJP chief Rajnath Singh announced the decision of Modi’s elevation after the national executive committee meeting ended on Sunday afternoon.
Addressing the media along with Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jatley, Singh said “Keeping the Lok Sabha elections in mind, the party has declared Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as chairman of the election campaign committee.”
“Whatever has happened has happened with everyone’s backing…it was unanimous,” he added.
The announcement was followed by chaotic scenes as a frenzied media intermingled with BJP workers shouting victory slogans, to the beating of the dhol and bursts of fire crackers.
“We take these elections as a big challenge and the hope for victory is palpable. All efforts are been made to make sure the party clinches victory. BJP would prove itself as an alternative to Congress-led UPA government under
Modi’s leadership,” Singh added.
While Sushma Swaraj refused to talk to media, Venkaiah Naidu said the decision was ‘unanimous’ and Advani was consulted by the party president. “Modi will focus on campaigns across the country and towards creating awareness,” he said.
Meanwhile, Modi told a public meeting at Taleigao that he considered Goa a lucky venue for him as he assured all that he would complete the work left incomplete since former BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure.
In a fiery 45- minute- speech speech, Modi also assured to fulfill the dream envisaged by his party president and spoke of various incidents of how he had responded to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on different occasions on Naxalism, internal security and other vital issues.
Saying that he is prepared to take on the responsibility put on him by the party and recalling the 2002 national executive meeting held in Goa ~ when party had reposed confidence in him~ the Gujarat CM expressed confidence that he would be able to take up the challenge. Modi claimed he could convert Gujarat into a developed state that is today competing with the growth rate of China, due to his faith.
“The media says Goa is lucky for Modi and I feel that Goa has always blessed me”, said Modi.
The BJP chief, literally kicking off the election campaign of the BJP, said that by appointing Modi as the campaign chief the party had provided a strong leader who can pull out the country of the ongoing crisis. In fact Singh stood up to speak when Modi’s name was called, stating that the leader of the country should speak last.
“In democracy, the popular person should be made the leader,” said Singh, adding that he is getting immense satisfaction by appointing a right person in a right place.
Referring to the Coalgate scam he said that they wanted a prime minister who is not corrupt.”
Rajya Sabha opposition leader Arun Jaitley said: “Rajnath-ji has given a face to the feelings of not only party workers, but crores of Indians”, said Jaitley.
Converting the rally into a launch pad of the election campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, Jaitley also announced that the campaign begins from today.
