Narendra Modi benefited by Rajnath Singh's promotion in BJP

New Delhi, Jan 25: It seems that

's sudden promotion in the Bharatiya Janata Party (

) as its president has put Gujarat Chief Minister

in the gaining side. Singh, during an interview with a TV channel, hinted that Modi indeed is likely to get a "bigger role" to play in the upcoming Lok Sabha election in 2014.

During an interview, Singh was quoted as saying, "Narendra Modi has turned Gujarat into a model state. The state's administration is the best. Modi is a popular leader across the country. I will soon begin discussions with central leaders on this. I will be speaking to Narendra Modi also - though I will not divulge what I will be discussing."

Within few days of elevation as BJP president, Singh seems to have clarified his stand on the prime minister candidate controversy, while Nitin Gadkari had not revealed his opinion about the same during his tenure as the party president.

However, Singh has also clarified that the final decision on the prime minister candidate will be taken by BJP's top decision making body - BJP parliamentary board. Speaking about the candidate, Singh added, "We will look for a clean image, popularity and acceptability."

Earlier, media reports had claimed that both Modi had differences with Gadkari for making his arch-rival Sanjay Joshi as party's main election in-charge in Uttar Pradesh in 2012. Later, Joshi was forced to resign from the party in a bid to bringing a truce between Modi and Gadkari.

Singh has been re-elected as the party president following the CBI raids at several companies owned by Gadkari. Commenting on the issue, Singh was quoted as saying, "Gadkari decided to resign as the media was making a big issue out of the raids. He had to resign due to the false and malicious charges levelled against him."

Meanwhile, a survey report revealed that Modi was the favourite prime ministerial candidate for General Elections 2014, with 48% respondents backing him.

While only 7% voters feel that Manmohan Singh should become PM again, 18% voters of the survey feel that Rahul Gandhi, the scion of Gandhi family who recently took over as the vice-president of Congress, is suitable for the prime minister's post.

OneIndia News