Narendra Modi set to get a step closer to Delhi today

BJP president Rajnath Singh’s new team of office-bearers is likely to be announced today, with all eyes on the expected reinstatement of Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to the party’s powerful parliamentary board. HT reports.

BJP president Rajnath Singh’s new team of office-bearers is likely to be announced on Sunday, with all eyes on the expected reinstatement of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to the party’s powerful parliamentary board after a gap of six years.

Senior-BJP-leader-LK-Advani-with-Gujarat-chief-minister-Narendra-Modi-in-Gandhinagar-PTI-Photo

The anticipated move — which many see most likely — is being seen as a marker of Modi’s growing clout within party circles and as a sign of his soft elevation to national politics.

While the party’s rank and file wants Modi to be declared the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, the party wants a subtler launch so as not to irk ally, Janata Dal (United). While his reinstatement to the party’s parliamentary board is being seen as the first step towards a national role, the second step is likely to be his future promotion as chief of the party’s campaign committee.

Former Gujarat home minister Amit Shah is likely to be elevated to the post of general secretary to please Modi.

However, all eyes are going to be on Modi. While party leaders are silent on whether a decision to name Modi as the party’s contender for the top post will be taken any time before the elections, many leaders claim that he has emerged as the choice of party workers across India.