Narendra Modi to be named as BJP's PM candidate? Adamant LK Advani refuses to support, say sources

New Delhi: Days before the BJP is expected to name Narendra Modi its presumptive Prime Minister for 2014, the party's senior-most leader LK Advani has reportedly made it clear that he will not support such a move.

BJP president Rajnath Singh met Mr Advani at the latter's residence in Delhi this afternoon, but the half-hour conversation failed to move the BJP veteran, who wants the Modi-for-PM announcement to be delayed till after Assembly elections in five states in November.

RSS emissary Nitin Gadkari too failed to convince Mr Advani when he met him last evening.

Sources said that while Mr Advani's continued opposition is unlikely to change the timing of Mr Modi's elevation - expected by the end of this week or early next week - Mr Singh will have to factor it in as he decides on how to make the announcement. (Read: Rajnath Singh scouts for dates for Modi announcement)

He had planned call a meeting of the BJP's parliamentary party board, made up of the party's top 12 leaders, to make a unanimous announcement. But, sources said, he might have to shelve that plan and meet senior leaders individually to avoid the risk of a public showdown.

The party also fears that Mr Advani might choose to skip a parliamentary board meeting in a repeat of his June sulk. (Read: Advani relents)

A BJP spokesman was evasive when asked when the Modi announcement would be made, saying, "There is no official decision. This is for the parliamentary party board to decide."

Mr Advani's stand is shared by other A-listers like Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi; all three leaders are members of the parliamentary board.

They are said to be gambling on Mr Modi's internal rival Shivraj Singh Chouhan posting a big third straight win in Madhya Pradesh in the Assembly elections to challenge the Gujarat Chief Minister's reputation of being the party's best match-winner.    

The RSS wants Mr Modi's name announced before September 19, when an auspicious period on the Hindu calendar ends. Supporters of the Gujarat Chief Minister are pushing for an announcement before September 17, Mr Modi's 63rd birthday. (Read: BJP, RSS discuss poll strategy for 2014)