BJP PM candidate: Advani afraid of Narendra Modi? Rajnath in a fix

New Delhi, Sept 12: Bharatiya Janata Party (

) President Rajnath Singh faced tremendous pressure as senior party leader LK

remained adamant on his stand on

. According to TV reports, the veteran asserted that declaring Modi as the PM candidate for upcoming Lok Sabha election would be a "disaster". Is Advani, who has been facing criticism from many party leaders and workers, afraid of the Gujarat Chief Minister?

According to sources, Advani believes that Modi as BJP's PM nominee would destroy the party's prospect in the General election which is expected to be held in 2014. The party would taste failure for the third consecutive time if Modi becomes PM candidate, claimed the 85-year-old leader.

Meanwhile, another anti-Modi BJP leader -- Murli Manohar Joshiadvised Rajnath Singh to consult the chief ministers of all poll-bound BJP states on the question of anointment of Modi.

Declaring Modi as PM candidate for upcoming election would be a disaster: Advani

BJP leader and former deputy chief minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi, meanwhile, took a dig at Advani over the latter's objection to announcement of Narendra Modi. Rajnath Singh earlier on Wednesday, Sept 11 met Advani. He, however, failed to convince Advani and left the latter's residence in Delhi with empty hands.

According TV reports, BJP had plans of snubbing Advani if the leader does not change his stand on the Gujarat Chief Minister. Advani has been demanding to postpone the announcement on PM nominee till the assembly elections due in five states -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.

It has been reported that the party may declare Narendra Modi's name for the PM nominee. The pro-Modi camp in the BJP felt encouraged to proceed after getting the RSS's nod.

The RSS, however, has reportedly asked Rajnath Singh that it is high time to make the announcement. According to sources, Modi could be declared the prime ministerial candidate on either the 13th or 16th, with the former date looking more likely.

Advani earlier had resigned from crucial posts of the party when the Gujarat CM was elected as the party election campaign chief in June 2013. Modi was made the chief of the campaign for the election which is expected to be held in 2014. However, he had withdrawn his resignations later after being convinced by the RSS.

OneIndia News