Northeast foray for Mission272+

Naresh Mitra, The Times of India, 19th September, 2013

With all the northeast units of BJP unanimously backing Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate, the national president of the saffron party, Rajnath Singh, kicked off a two-day poll strategy conclave in Guwahati on Wednesday. Though it was a closed-door meeting, it was learnt that the party leadership underscored BJP’s desire to see the “lotus” (the party’s symbol) bloom in the “land of the rising sun” (northeast) in the next parliamentary election. Northeast BJP leaders said that the saffron party in the region fully backs Modi and wants him to become the next Prime Minister.”The symbol of the northeast, where the sun rises first in the country, was emphasized in the meeting to drive home the point that BJP is counting on support from the region to ensure the party’s success in the Lok Sabha polls,” a senior BJP leader, who was present in the meeting, said.

Delhi enthusiasm for Modi rally

Daily Mail, 18th September, 2013

With the aim of sending out a clear message to Delhiites, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s September 29 rally in the Capital has been named ‘Delhi Badlo Vishal Rally. For those who don’t get a chance to visit the venue of the rally in Rohini, the party will install giant screens at 100 prominent locations across the city. “The main focus is business places so that everybody can listen live to their favourite leader who will be the next prime minister,” said Vijender Gupta, former Delhi BJP chief and in-charge of all the preparations for the September 29 rally.

Significant statement by British Prime Minister David Cameron

Business Standard, 19th September, 2013

Britain favours closer engagement with Gujarat and its Chief Minister Narendra Modi to realise the country’s wide-ranging objectives in the state, Prime Minister David Cameron has said. “In the last 12 months, there have been significant developments in the legal process following the 2002 Gujarat riots, including convictions in a number of high profile cases,” Cameron told The Eastern Eye, a weekly published by the Garavi Gujarat Group of newspapers. “We believe that closer engagement with Gujarat, including Chief Minister Narendra Modi, is now the best way to achieve our wide-ranging objectives there – including on human rights – and ensure that the UK can provide a full and consistent range of services across India,” Cameron said.

Gehlot embarassed

The Times of India, 19th September, 2013

In an embarrassment to the ruling Congress and chief minister Ashok Gehlot, a group of students on Wednesday shouted slogans hailing BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, during a government function in Jaipur. Thousands of students, including girls, from across the state were invited for the Yuva Mahotsav, attended by minister of state for youth affairs and sports Mangilal Garasia and Rajasthan Yuva Board chairman Pawan Godara. As soon as Gehlot came on the dais, the students in the front row shouted ‘pro-Modi’ slogans, taking the CM and others by surprise. Additional police commissioner Giriraj Meena immediately swung into action and deployed additional forces to calm down the sloganeering students.

Karl Inderfurth not too far behind either

The Economic Times, 19th September, 2013

A former top American diplomat has said that United States “should now find ways to engage” with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is now the prime ministerial candidate of the main opposition party. “It is very clear that Modi is (now) a national political figure, and not simply a regional figure. He would be the lead spokesperson for the BJP in this election. I think the United States should recognise that act and find ways to engage (with him),” Karl F Inderfurth, the former Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs from 1997-2001, told PTI.