NDA will win 2014 polls if it contests under Modi's leadership: Sena

New Delhi, Sept 13: It seems that the Gujarat chief minister and the BJP's poll panel chief Narendra Modi has found supporters for his endorsement as the party's prime ministerial nominee, with the NDA allies.

According to reports, Shiv Sena spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut on Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would win the 2014 general elections if they contest it under the leadership of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"Yes, we will win 100 per cent if we fight under Narendra Modi. Yesterday, Uddhavji (Uddhav Thackeray) talked to Modiji, and congratulated him as well. We will welcome it if Modi is declared the PM candidate," Raut said.

In an interview to a news channel, Raut said, "The party will build consensus on Modi. Mr. Advani is like ‘Bhism Pitamah' for all of us in politics. We respect him immensely,

Yesterday, Narendra Modi called Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and sought his support.

Today, BJP president Rajnath Singh phoned Thackeray about its decision on announcing Modi as the prime ministerial candidate for 2014 general elections.

Thackeray, who has now given his nod on Modi's appointment for the top post, had wrote an editorial in his mouthpiece Saamna in June, criticising Modi.

The BJP's oldest ally, Shiv Sena had earlier preferred party's leader Sushma Swaraj for the PM's candidature.

Interestingly, the Sena's change of heart comes exactly a week after Thackeray had urged the BJP to let Modi remain as Gujarat CM till 2017.

"Narendra Modi has publicly declared that he has no prime ministerial ambitions. He has been given public mandate to rule Gujarat till 2017 and would continue to serve the people of that state," Thackeray had said in an editorial in the party mouthpiece "Saamana" last Saturday.

Yesterday, Punjab government led by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also gave their consent on declaring Modi as the BJP's PM nominee.

Meanwhile, all eyes are set on BJP parliamentary board meeting today, where party leaders will try to evolve a consensus within the party over declaring Modi as their prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections.

Following consultations with top leaders here on Thursday, party President Rajnath Singh decided to convene a meeting of the parliamentary board this eveningSingh said a decision on the party's prime ministerial candidate will be taken after discussions and consultations.

"We will decide after the talks are held," he told media here, when asked as to when the BJP would come out with the name of its prime ministerial candidate.

The BJP chief is making sincere efforts to bring all senior leaders on board for officially naming Modi as the party's prime ministerial candidate.

Several attempts have been made by senior leaders to convince veteran leader LK Advani, who had resigned from all party posts when Modi was appointed the election campaign committee chief in Goa earlier this year.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is of the view that any delay in announcing Modi's candidature will not do any good to the party's prospects in the general elections.

OneIndia News

(With agency inputs)