BJP declares Narendra Modi as PM candidate for 2014 Lok Sabha polls

Narendra Modi finally declared as BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate. (IE Photo: Premnath Pandey)

Narendra Modi, a staunch proponent of Hinduvta, was on Friday anointed BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, ending months of suspense over his elevation amid stiff opposition by party patriarch L K Advani.

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The announcement was made by BJP chief Rajnath Singh after a meeting of the party's Parliamentary Board which was skipped by Advani who expressed "anguish" over the way the party was functioning.

Soon after the announcement Modi thanked party leadership and workers for reposing faith in him. He also expressed gratitude to NDA allies for supporting him through telephone calls.

"I thank all BJP workers and leaders for this opportunity. I will not leave any effort to make BJP victorious in 2014 polls," Modi said.

Flanked by Rajnath Singh, Joshi, Swaraj, Jaitley, Ananth Kumar among others, Modi said the country is going through a "crisis" and the countrymen should support BJP to emerge from this situation.

"With the blessings of the national leadership and love of the party workers I am sure we will win," Modi said.

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Modi, who will turn 63 next Tuesday, said he will work tirelessly to ensure that BJP wins the 2014 elections.

"I seek blessings of the people of this nation. We are passing through turbulent time, please bless our efforts to free nation of it....Party has given a big task to someone who came from a small family. All the strength I have got from there has gone for nation's service," Modi added.

Giving a slogan "nayi sonch, nayi ummeed" (new thinking, new hope), he said the party will work for good governance and development while fighting against corruption and price rise.