The BJP Parliamentary Board on Friday declared Narendra Modi as party’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 general election.

The much awaited announcement was made by BJP president Rajnath Singh at a crowded Press Conference at 11, Ashoka Road, in the presence of galaxy of party leaders after a crucial meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board. Except Advani, the meeting of the party’s apex decision making body was attended by other leaders like Sushma Swaraj, Murli Manohar Joshi, Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari.

Making the announcement, Rajnath Singh said the decision had been taken unanimously by the Parliamentary Board as per the party’s tradition.

Rajnath said the decision was taken keeping in view the mood and aspirations of the people.

As Rajnath declared Modi’s name for the top post, a wave of jubilation has spread in the party cadre.

Accepting the new responsibility, Modi, who will turn 63 next Tuesday, said, “I have served BJP as a worker for many years to the best of my ability. With this big responsibility, I assure everyone that I will leave no stone upturned for the achievement of the goal. I will work tirelessly to ensure that BJP wins the 2014 general election.”

The BJP’s star performer, who has proved his mettle as the Gujarat Chief Minister, sought the blessings of crores of people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to help BJP win.

Coining a slogan “nayi sonch, nayi ummeed” (new thinking, new hope), Modi said the party will continue to work for good governance and development while fighting against corruption and price rise.
“The country is going through a crisis and the countrymen should support BJP to emerge from this situation,” Modi flanked by Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Murli Manohar Joshi, Ananth Kumar among others said.

Modi thanked party leadership and workers for reposing faith in him. The Gujarat Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to NDA allies for supporting him through telephone calls.

Modi also thanked media for its contribution in bringing out the issues that have been raging the country including corruption, inflation and nay other issues.

The announcement was made following a hectic activity to evolve a consensus on Modi’s name.

The decision on Modi came on a day of fast-paced developments and back-to-back meetings and last minute efforts to bring the BJP top brass together. Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi and Sushma Swaraj, who are said to have reservations on Modi’s name, finally changed their stand to join the majority view of the BJP.

The move to formally announce Modi as BJP’s Prime Ministerial face gained momentum after the go-ahead given by RSS last week.

Modi got a shot in the arm when NDA allies Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal extended their support to him for the post of PM candidate.