The BJP Parliamentary Party unanimously elected Narendra Modi as its leader at the Central Hall of Parliament this afternoon. His name was proposed by party veteran L K Advani and seconded by senior leaders including Murli Manohar Joshi, Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley.

Addressing the MPs, Mr Modi said as people's representatives, they are not in Parliament to clinch power, but to work for the betterment of people and fulfill their aspirations. He described Parliament as a temple of democracy and said a government should live for welfare of the poor.

Mr Modi assured people that there is no need for pessimism going by the past bad experience adding that the country has huge potential. He said he does not believe that the previous governments did nothing.

He said they deserve appreciation for whatever good they did.
AIR correspondent reports, touched by L K Advani's reference to him in his address Mr Modi broke down. Mr Advani had also broken down earlier while embracing Mr Modi moments after party MPs endorsed his proposal to name him their leader.

Mr Modi will be elected leader of NDA at a meeting at the same venue in a shortwhile. An NDA delegation will call on President Pranab Mukherjee at 2:30 pm to convey its decision making Narendra Modi as the coalition leader.

Mr Modi will call on Mr Mukherjee at 3:15 in the afternoon to stake claim for the formation of a new government.