Narendra Modi on a roll, may enter BJP A-team

Narendra Modi's potential elevation to the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for 2014 gathered momentum on Saturday, with speculation building that he may soon be inducted into the party's top national decision-making body. Vikas Pathak reports.

Narendra Modi's potential elevation to the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for 2014 gathered momentum on Saturday, with speculation building that he may soon be inducted into the party's top national decision-making body.

BJP-president-Rajnath-Singh-hugs-Gujarat-chief-minister-Narendra-Modi-after-being-honoured-with-a-garland-at-the-BJP-National-Council-meeting-in-New-Delhi-UNI

The talk came after the Gujarat CM drew an unprecedented reception on day two of the BJP's three-day national conclave.

The party stopped short of formally declaring him their candidate for the country's top job, but the message was loud and clear.

Party president Rajnath Singh garlanded Modi after singling him out as the "most popular" of the BJP's five chief ministers, and asked for a standing ovation saying: "Words and claps are not enough to welcome him."

Delegates stood up, clapped and whistled, and the other CMs - some of them potential rivals for the PM candidature - shook hands with the charismatic but controversial figure.

Not originally in the Modi fan club, Singh has been increasingly promoting the leader in recent weeks, possibly to align himself with the wishes of the rank and file.

Modi hugs Rajnath Singh during a BJP National Council meeting. HT/Raj K Raj

Modi gestures during the National Council meet. AFP