I strongly support Modi: Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday fully backed Narendra Modi as the party`s Prime Ministerial candidate.

New Delhi: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who had recently created a stir in BJP by saying that the 2002 Gujarat riots were a blot and could have been handled better, Friday fully backed Narendra Modi as the party`s Prime Ministerial candidate.

Parrikar also suggested his party should declare Modi`s candidature soon. "I have said Modi is sure to win elections. I strongly support him, he is one of the best administrators of the country...You appoint him or anoint him PM candidate or not, people have already declared him to be the candidate," Parrikar said in a TV interview. On consensus in BJP on Modi, he said "the moment BJP made him the head of the campaign committee, people of the state, particularly the youth across the board, across parties, have decided to go for him and you will see the sweeping results in the next poll. That is what I have been predicting time again...The common people have presumed him to be the Prime Minister." On 2002 Gujarat riots, he said "it is a small thing which happened in the initial stage, nothing beyond that". He said that about three months ago he had admitted there were some "administrative failures" but after that, "for 12 consecutive years he has given the best administration that`s what people are longing for." On Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan`s objections to Modi, he said "I think the reports are motivated or they might have not read the full interview." PTI