Shiv Sena today asked the BJP leadership to clear its stand on the issue of its prime ministerial candidate and demanded that a meeting of the NDA be convened soon.
The BJP ally, however, gave a clean chit to Modi over the Gujarat riots, but said that by declaring someone's candidature, allies, who have been with BJP faithfully for so many years will go away, which will result in a loss of some seats.
Asking the BJP leadership to clear its stand on the prime ministerial candidate, an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamna' said, "There is a lot of confusion...There are several wannabes.
"There are squabbles within the NDA on the PM candidate issue. Rajnath Singh, L K Advani and Sushma Swaraj should comment on this and the confusion should be cleared by convening a meeting of the NDA at the earliest," the Sena said.
On Modi, the editorial said Godhra riots was a reaction to the burning of the Sabarmati Express.
"Had even Keshubhai Patel or Shankarsinh Vaghela been in Modi's place, then also the reaction would have been the same," it said.
On Modi's name figuring as the BJP's PM candidate, it said the final call would be taken by the NDA.
In a veiled reference to Modi and JD(U), the party said, by declaring someone's candidature, there may be an increase of 5 to 10 seats, but allies, who have been with BJP faithfully for so many years will go away, which will result in a loss of some seats.
The Sena's views come after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar indicated his opposition on projecting Modi as BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate.
JD(U) has said that BJP should declare its prime ministerial candidate having "secular credibility beyond doubt" for the next general elections.
