The Parliamentary Board of the BJP, its highest decision-making body, is likely to meet this week to discuss the timing of Narendra Modi's projection as its Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 election.
This is after a couple of rounds of meetings between the RSS and BJP leadership on the sidelines of the two-day-long coordination meeting of the Sangh Parivar. The meeting ended on Monday with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat asking for a coordinated and united effort by Parivar affiliates to taken on challenges.
The Parliamentary Board's meeting to decide about the timing of the projection of Narendra Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate will be the final step towards Modi's eventual coronation, which he wants done before September 19.
"Very soon the Parliamentary Board will decide," a top BJP leader, who wants an early announcement, told The Pioneer. Though he did not set a time frame for the announcement, party leaders claim the meeting could take place this week.
Sources said the announcement would depend on three factors. The availability of all central leaders in the national Capital, the fact that it does not clash with a major event and finally, that it should be done at an auspicious time.
Modi is addressing a rally in Jaipur on September 10 and then at Rewari in Haryana on September 15. BJP chief Rajnath Singh will be busy in a meeting of Uttar Pradesh State Election Committee on September 17. He is out of town on September 18 and 19. After September 19, the inauspicious period of Pitra Paksha will start and that will continue till October 4.
"To take that decision, a meeting of the Parliamentary Board would be called soon. Given the schedule, it is likely that the meet would take place between September 12 and 14. However, no decision on the date has been taken," sources said.
"In all likelihood, Modi's projection could take place around September 14," another Modi supporter claimed.
Much against the speculation, the RSS claimed on Monday that the BJP's PM candidate issue was not discussed at the two-day coordination meeting of the Sangh Parivar.
"BJP leaders presented their view point on agriculture, economy, internal security, foreign affairs, women's safety and other issues.
Party chief Rajnath Singh briefed the meeting about the political situation and lK Advani made the valedictory speech," RSS publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya told reporters after the meeting.
The RSS has categorically told the BJP that the latter will have to decide about the timing of Modi's projection and it would not issue any diktat on this.
During the two day meet, the RSS' focus was on fine-tuning organisational matters and better coordination between Parivar affiliates, particularly in view of the elections. But during the backroom negotiations that took place in the last two days, Modi supporters in the Parliamentary Board sought to convince the RSS leadership about the urgency to project Modi, who is "extremely" popular among the cadre.
Sources claimed BJP chief Rajnath Singh stayed back for a couple of hours after the coordination meeting at the Madhya Pradesh Government guest house in Vasant Kunj was over on Sunday and had another round of talks with RSS leaders on the PM-candidate issue.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is believed to have said that he was not opposed to Modi's projection, but has simply flagged up his concerns, which could be detrimental to the party in local polls.