In an indication that Narendra Modi would not be acceptable for Prime Ministership to BJP's allies,JD-U was dismissive about the Gujarat Chief Minister being projected for the top post saying there was "no vacancy". JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav,who is also NDA convenor,said it did not augur well for the BJP to speak like this after projecting L K Advani as BJP's candidate for prime ministership. "There is no vacancy (in the prime ministerial post). NDA has decided that Advani is its candidate," Yadav said replying to questions at a press conference in New Delhi. Yadav's remark came when asked to comment on statements by a number of BJP leaders that Modi could be the party's prime ministerial candidate in the next general elections. "Who knows what will happen after 100 years. It is not necessary to say all these things now," he said. Projection of Modi as the prime ministerial candidate was initiated by BJP leader Arun Shourie and was endorsed by some of his party colleagues Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad. However,BJP President Rajnath Singh is apparently not favouring it as he has reportedly said that such a talk was "childish". Yadav,who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Madhepura in Bihar,expressed confidence that NDA would emerge as the largest combine with the highest number of seats. He,however,evaded questions as to how many seats the NDA would get. He said development was the key issue in the current polls unlike in the past when corruption and scams were major issues. The JD(U) leader favoured reforms in the poll process to ensure that voters exercise their franchise in a simple and fair manner. The reforms can be worked out at an all-party meeting,he said. Referring to appointments in top posts in Election Commission,CBI and the courts,he said these should be done in a transparent manner and favoured early steps in this regard.
