No race for PM`s post, but Modi a popular leader: Rajnath

BJP leader Rajnath Singh said there is no race in party for PM`s post, but acknowledged that Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister, is a popular leader and this "fact cannot be denied".

Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh): BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Saturday said there is no race in the party for PM`s post, but acknowledged that Narendra Modi, who came to power in Gujarat for the straight third time, is a popular leader and this "fact cannot be denied". "There is no race for Prime Minister`s post in BJP but Narendra Modi is a popular leader and this fact cannot be denied," Rajnath said, when asked whether the party would project Modi as its prime ministerial candidate in the 2014 general elections.

When asked about the possibility of Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi contesting from Sultanpur in the next Lok Sabha polls, Rajnath said "anyone can contest from anywhere" but the final call in this regard will be taken by party`s top brass only. "If Varun Gandhi contests from Sultanpur, this seat will fall in BJP`s kitty but who will contest from where will be decided by the party president," Singh said. "There is no race for Prime Minister`s post in BJP but Narendra Modi is a popular leader and this fact cannot be denied," Rajnath said, when asked whether the party would project Modi as its prime ministerial candidate in the 2014 general elections. When asked about the possibility of Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi contesting from Sultanpur in the next Lok Sabha polls, Rajnath said "anyone can contest from anywhere" but the final call in this regard will be taken by party`s top brass only. "If Varun Gandhi contests from Sultanpur, this seat will fall in BJP`s kitty but who will contest from where will be decided by the party president," Singh said. Varun`s supporters are reportedly carrying out public campaigns in the five assembly segments of the districts for over a fortnight. The former UP chief minister also lashed out at the BSP and Samajwadi Party, and accused them of betraying the people of the state. "On certain issues these parties oppose the Central government but side with it at the time of vote division in the Parliament to help it out," Singh said. Claiming that country`s economy has got derailed due to faulty policies of the Centre, Rajnath flayed the union government for "cutting" crores of rupees of fundings meant for modernisation of the Army. PTI