India opposition hardliner Narendra Modi to head key post
Modi, chief minister of the thriving state of Gujarat for more than a decade, was chosen to head the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) election panel, despite opposition from some of his senior colleagues.
Controversial politician Narendra Modi will be the frontman for India’s general elections next year, his party said Sunday, boosting his chances of becoming the nation’s next prime minister.
Modi, chief minister of the thriving state of Gujarat for more than a decade, was chosen to head the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) election panel, despite opposition from some of his senior colleagues.
The BJP, the main opposition in parliament, selected Modi after a two-day meeting of the national executive called to plan for elections due next May.
“I have today appointed the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi the chairman of the election campaign committee,” BJP President Rajnath Singh told reporters at the meeting held in the coastal state of Goa.
“I believe that the whole country is looking to the Bharatiya Janata Party ... we are confident that the BJP will move ahead next year,” Singh said to applause and cheers from party members.
The post is seen as a stepping stone for Modi in his quest to be named the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, despite concerns that he would be seen as a divisive figure over his failure to stop deadly anti-Muslim riots in 2002.
In his new role Modi, who is attending the meeting, will now have to canvass for votes around India, forge strategies to attack the ruling centre-left Congress party and will also build support for his candidacy as premier.