Modi inducted into BJP's parliamentary board

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was Sunday inducted into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary board that will lead the party in the general elections of 2014.

BJP president Rajnath Singh announced his new team Sunday. Gujarat's former home minister Amit Shah, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Varun Gandhi have been made general secretaries of the party.

Smriti Irani and Uma Bharti have been elevated as vice-presidents of the party.

Gujarat CM, Narendra Modi inducted into BJP's highest decision-making body

Modi is the only chief minister to be on the parliamentary board, the highest decision-making body of the party. He also finds a place in the party's central election committee.

"The rejig was done by the new party president keeping in mind the general elections of 2014. The party will announce the prime ministerial candidate when the time comes," BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said.

On stopping short of announcing a prime ministerial candidate, BJP leader Nirmala Sitaraman said: "All groups and regions have been well represented in the new team. I don't think too much need to be read into (the holding back of an announcement of the prime minister candidate)."

"All sections have been adequately represented, according to their capacity, and there is young blood too in the team," she said.

Welcoming Modi's elevation, BJP leader Giriraj Singh said: "It is good news and will infuse more power and strength into the party."