Modi's elevation a masterstroke, says Badal

The Akali Dal in Punjab, an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has hailed the elevation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the chairman of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election campaign committee for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal described Modi’s elevation as “a masterstroke and a knockout punch against a staggering United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the Congress party”.

“This has already sent shock waves in the UPA and completely demoralised them, as is borne out by their nervous reactions of their leaders,” he said.

Badal added that the political climate in the country clearly pointed towards a strong anti-Congress and anti-UPA wave.

Badal who arrived in Mumbai on a four-day official visit spoke to Modi over phone to congratulate him. The chief minister described Modi’s popular image combined with the sober and experienced leadership of Rajnath Singh would prove to be a deadly combination.

Badal expressed confidence that Modi’s long experience in managing highly successful election campaigns against the Congress in Gujarat would be an asset to the BJP and allies in the forthcoming poll. 

“Modi’s stature as a mass leader with a strong hold over the grassroots politics, and his long record and reputation as an capable administrator would be more than an effective counter to the inept, corruption-laden and confused UPA government at the Centre,” he maintained.