No PM candidate, says Nitin Gadkari

Although the chorus within the party for projecting Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as prime minister may be growing, the BJP won't canvass for any leader for the next Lok Sabha polls in 2014, party chief Nitin Gadkari asserted on Friday.

Although the chorus within the party for projecting Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as prime minister may be growing, the BJP won't canvass for any leader for the next Lok Sabha polls in 2014, party chief Nitin Gadkari asserted on Friday.

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He also ruled out resigning from his position, saying he hasn't been found guilty despite a number of reports about Purti Group.

"I can say with authority as the party president that we will not project anybody before the elections and announce the PM candidate at the right time only," Gadkari said while answering questions at a media event, Agenda-Aaj Tak, in New Delhi.

"BJP is a democratic party and decisions are taken collectively in consultation with all leaders and our allies," he added.

Gadkari's statements came a day after BJP leader Sushma Swaraji stated at the same event that the candidacy for the PM's post would depend on whether the election is won by an absolute majority or ends up in a fractured verdict.

She also said her view that Modi was capable and fit for the job of PM was presented in a distorted manner.

"Neither the I-T nor company affairs departments have sent any notice based on the Purti stories. There is no notice, high court order or CBI inquiry against me. I have been hung only by the media," Gadkari said.