He too had a word of caution for the BJP veteran.
Modi's spectacular rise in the BJP "may result in immense internal strains and ego clashes with possible irreversible long-term consequences which senior party leaders will have to guard against".
Thakur also felt that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal "may throw up surprises" in the election.
Bangalore-based R.K. Padmanabhan told IANS that Modi's prime ministership "indicates bright prospects for the country" although "there would be challenges and controversies".
Exit polls at the end of the Lok Sabha election Monday have predicted a BJP-NDA win, leaving the Congress badly bruised.
