Gopinath Munde backs Modi as PM candidate

Senior party leader Gopinath Munde backed Narendra Modi saying the Gujarat chief minister is indeed a candidate for the post.

Vadodara: A day after BJP leader Sushma Swaraj endorsed Narendra Modi as party`s prime ministerial candidate, senior party leader Gopinath Munde backed her saying the Gujarat chief minister is indeed a candidate for the post.

"Modi`s name figures as the prime ministerial candidate...Gujarat has made tremendous progress under his leadership," Munde told reporters at airport here tonight. Swaraj had yesterday said that Narendra Modi is capable of becoming the prime minister of the country. "He is fit for it," she had said. Replying to a query, Munde said BJP was concentrating on Gujarat elections at present. "I have been touring Gujarat for the last two days and addressing public meetings in support of BJP candidates contesting assembly elections. I am confident that BJP under leadership of Modi will capture two third majority in 182-member Assembly," the deputy Leader of BJP in Lok Sabha said. On BJP`s alliance partner Shiv Sena demanding later party chief Bal Thackeray`s memorial at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, Munde said, "I support the demand as Bal Thackeray was a great leader". PTI