Pune, Jul 10: In the latest development over the controversy on NDA’s decision to project Narendra Modi as PM candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the Gujarat Chief Minister himself hinted that he is ready to become the Prime Minister of the country.

The Gujarat CM on Monday, Jul 9 visited Pune to attend a ceremony to felicitate Sanskrit language’s strong advocate Pandit Vasant Gadgil for dedicating 60 years to the service and propagation of the language.

During his speech, Gadgil said that Modi should be made the Prime Minister of India. ‘PM” Modi, according to Gadgil, can take India to a well-developed position as he has done for Gujarat.

Replying to Gadgil’s statement, Modi stated, “Aap mujhe aisa ashirwad de ki main Gadgilji ka sapna poora kar saku (Give me blessings so that I can fulfill Gadgil’s dreams).”

Continuing his speech, Modi also added, “Pune was the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. If the blessings of Puneites are powerful, the results would also be powerful.”

Modi is being praised and is getting support from many at the time when Manmohan Singh seems to be at the receiving end of flak from all quarters. Soon after the Time magazine called him an “underachiever” and slammed his government, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the PM, calling him “politically impotent”.

Now, when Modi indirectly said that he is ready to become the PM, it depends on other NDA leaders to take their final decision. But one question remains – will Singh reply to his critics or will he continue as a silent spectator?