Is Narendra Modi stamping his authority on the BJP?

New Delhi: BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani Prime Ministerial ambitions have received a severe jolt with the elevation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the 2014 election campaign in-charge. It is believed that it was Narendra Modi who prepared and implemented the plan to push Advani to the background.

Known as the iron man of BJP, Advani had never missed the party's National Executive but during the Goa conclave he had an upset stomach and did not attend the meeting. Political experts say that Advani was absent because Narendra Modi was being given one of the most important positions in the party. Advani had given enough hints that he would not accept his disciple-turned-rival Modi's elevation. But the rank and file of the BJP had been demanding that Modi be made BJP's PM candidate for 2014 elections and some people also protested outside Advani's house in Delhi for his refusal to attend the meet.

Protestors under the banner of "Narendra Modi Army" protested outside Advani's house and demanded that he make way for the Gujarat CM. BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain made it clear that the protesters are not party workers or Modi supporters.

But Congress leader Shankar Singh Waghela who quit the BJP due to Modi does not think so.

Vaghela recollects a 1996 incident when he had rebelled against Modi for acting like a Super CM in Keshubhai Patel's government. Then Atal Bihari Vajpayee arrived in Gandhinagar to broker peace and Suresh Mehta was made the chief minister under a compromise formula. But according to Vaghela Modi supporters stopped Vaipayee's car to protest against the move. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee missed his flight due to the demonstrations. So when there were protests outside Advani's house, I was not surprised. Even Advani does not have any doubt who is behind the protests," said Vaghela.

BJP President Rajnath Singh has said that that Modi is the most popular party leader and his elevation was not a miracle.

Narendra Modi started as a RSS worker almost 40 years ago and climbed the political ladder slowly. Modi's supporters as well as opponents both say he is not emotional. Instead he is iron-willed, can take tough decisions and is an able administrator who knows what he wants and how to achieve it, they add.

Sociologist and columnist Vidyut Joshi says that Modi can trample on any one who comes in his path. To understand Modi's style of politics one has to know about late Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi. Just like Indira Gandhi did in the Congress, Modi is slowly removing all the old timers from the BJP.

Similarly Indira Gandhi could not take any criticism lightly and gave her opponents any space. Modi, too, has similar qualities. He has made several people bite the dust in his long political career and his latest victim could be Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.