Why March 31 important for Narendra Modi, BJP, Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, March 31: Sunday, March 31 seems to be a crucial day for Bharatiya Janata Party (

) and especially for Gujarat Chief Minister

who is likely to get an important promotion after six years.

BJP President Rajnath Singh is expected to induct Modi in the BJP Parliamentary Board, the highest decision making body of the party. It is believed that the promotion would take Modi a step forward towards his goal of PM nominee for the Lok Sabha elections 2014.

According to sources, Modi's aide and former Gujarat Home Miinister Amit Shah, who allegedly had played a role in Sohrabuddin Sheih fake encounter case, also will be made the general secretary of the board.

Modi earlier was inducted in the board in 2007 during Rajnath Singh's first term as the BJP president. However, later he was removed from the board. Now, after six years the Gujarat CM against is likely to be re-inducted in the parliamentary board of the party.

BJP General Secretary Ananth Kumar earlier had moved the resolution at the National Council meeting here authorising Singh to constitute Parliamentary Board, the highest decision making body of the BJP, Central Election Committee and Disciplinary Committee and it was passed unanimously by the members who raised their hands in support.

Rajnath Singh told the Council members that he will consult senior leader L K Advani and others before constituting his team. The new president will also reconstitute the National Executive which has around 200 members.

Though passing of such a resolution is a routine exercise undertaken each time a new president takes charge, it assumes significance in the present scenario as Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Singh Chouhan are likely to be inducted into the Parliamentary Board.

The Parliamentary Board comprises of 11 members. It is unclear if the party will decide to expand the body or remove two members to accommodate Modi and Chouhan in case a decision to induct them is taken.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is a member of the Board, has not attended any of its meetings since 2007 due to ill-health.

Party leaders said these two chief ministers are likely to be inducted as they are at the helm of big states having a sizeable population. Also, there is clamour among party leaders and workers to bring Modi to national politics to cash in on his growing popularity.

BJP is hoping to come back to power at the Centre after losing two consecutive general elections in 2004 and 2009. Modi may also be given a key role in the election campaign of the BJP.

OneIndia News