It can be easily understood that had the party not made up its mind about Modi's leadership in next elections, Amit Shah would not have been given the charge of a crucial state like UP. Amit Shah, in any case, is not a political heavy weight and he derives his strength entirely from his proximity to Narendra Modi.
Another indication of the party's decision came from Bihar. When Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi made the statement that BJP's allies have no veto power over the selection of NDA's PM candidate, it came as a surprise to the political commentators in Bihar.
It was Sushil Modi who always advocated the need for continuing the coalition in Bihar even if it meant upsetting Narendra Modi's PM ambitions. He was looked upon as the alter ego of Nitish Kumar by his own party men.
The BJP workers resented the fact that despite belonging to BJP, Sushil Modi always cared more for the political interest of Nitish Kumar.
But when Sushil Modi said that it should not be forgotten that Narendra Modi belongs to the OBC community and that BJP allies have no veto power over the selection of NDA's PM candidate, the message was clear – he has got the idea of which way the wind is blowing in Delhi headquarters of BJP. It is very much possible that the central leadership alerted leaders like him of the party's internal decision on Modi's imminent candidature for PM post.
The astute politician that he is, Sushil Modi changed his tack immediately and lost no time in distancing himself from anti-Modi uttering of his good friend Nitish Kumar. Otherwise it was the same Sushil Modi who did not oppose Nitish Kumar when he insisted that Narendra Modi should not be allowed to campaign in Bihar assembly elections.
