Narendra Modi is BJP’s PM candidate: Murli Manohar Joshi

[Jason bourne]

Official announcement in a while ..

New Delhi: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will be the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi told newspersons here on Friday. He said though there may be differences, all leaders are on the same page on the issue of Modi.

A formal announcement is expected after the BJP parliamentary board meets at 5.30 pm, but firecrackers and pundits are in place for an evening of celebration and poojas.

Soon after Joshi's statement, celebrations broke out in Delhi and Mumbai outside the BJP offices. In sharp contrast, Advani's residence in Delhi wore a deserted look.

Modi arriveed in Delhi in the evening and he is likely to meet Advani ahead of the meeting.

With Modi name coming out, the isolation of senior party leader L.K. Advani would be complete. The senior leader who built the party today finds himself lonely and isolated.

However, BJP leader Nitin Gadkari confirmed that Advani is attending the Parliamentary board meeting.