'Modi has still a long way to become a national leader'

There is no question of Modi becoming Prime Minister despite his victory in Gujarat election," says a senior BJP leader.

Hindutva poster boy and Gujarat CM Narendra Modi has emerged as a rallying point for all the BJP leaders following his outstanding performance in the Gujarat assembly elections, but state leaders feel that he still has a long way to go to become a national leader.

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However, the party, which is trying to brand Narendra Modi as the new Hindutva mascot, does not mince any words to laud his performance and feels it would be stretching things too far to think that Modi could emerge as a national leader at this point of time.

"The next Loksabha election will be contested under (LK) Advani's leadership. Advani is our candidate for Prime Minister," a senior BJP leader told PTI.

"There is no question of Modi becoming Prime Minister despite his victory in Gujarat election," he said.

His recent rally in Mumbai was successful and the state BJP leaders gave an indication that the Gujarat pattern could be duplicated in Maharashtra for the 2009 assembly elections.

"Modi's popularity has increased after the Gujarat elections. So Modi will continue to campaign in Maharashtra and other states," BJP senior leader said.

"Modi certainly has good future in national politics. But he will complete five years term as CM of Gujarat," he said.

Party workers want Modi to campaign across the country in view of his clean image and charisma, he added.