On September 13, 2013, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officially declared Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. BJP President Rajnath Singh made the announcement following a parliamentary board meeting, which was notably skipped by senior leader L.K. Advani, expressing his dissatisfaction with the decision and the party's functioning.
Modi, known for his development-centric governance and Hindutva ideology, vowed to work tirelessly for BJP's victory, emphasizing themes of good governance, development, and anti-corruption. While leaders like Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi initially had reservations, they eventually endorsed Modi's candidature, aligning with the majority decision.
Advani, however, voiced concerns that the move could shift focus from critical issues like corruption and inflation to Modi's controversial image. Despite the discord, Modi received support from NDA allies Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal, solidifying his position as the BJP's face for the elections.