Narendra Modi is secular to the core: Babulal Gaur

Indore: Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh minister Babulal Gaur on Monday described Narendra Modi as the second Vallabh Bhai Patel and a "secular" leader to the core.

"Narendra Modi desh ke dusre Vallabh Bhai Patel hain... shudh secular hain, (Narendra Modi is the second Vallabh Bhai Patel of this country... He is secular to core)," the municipal administration minister told a press conference after unveiling the "Narmada River Conservation Plan" of the state government.

He was replying to a query on who will be the NDA's prime ministerial candidate for 2014 polls.

Senior BJP leader Babulal Gaur on Monday described Narendra Modi as the second Vallabh Bhai Patel.

The BJP had projected LK Advani as its prime ministerial candidate in 2009 elections.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's recent remark that the "NDA nominee for the top post should have secular credentials", ruffled the feathers of BJP and created a rift between the lead NDA constituent and its ally JD(U).

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