(Image source from: Modi's wisecrack could mean Congress' gain})

As the verbal duel between Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and Congress leaders and party members intensify ahead of the 2014 general polls, a few senior BJP leaders fear that the party's key strategist might end up putting his foot in his mouth.

Even while the party rises to Modi's defense every now and then, asserting that the politician is just working his way to occupy the center stage ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, insiders reveal that some key BJP leaders fear that Modi's impetuosity in talking about issues like 2002 riots and secularism might cost them the big race.

BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's latest article on a leading daily were abuzz with implications, although the senior leader chose his words wisely to avoid giving away any impression on his anti-Modi sentiments.

Yashwant Sinha was recently caught saying in an interview: “We (BJP) should not allow them (opponents) to turn the agenda away from the agenda of the people... The Congress is trying to hide behind the veil (of secularism which Modi had referred to in his Sunday address). For two days, (Modi's analogy of) puppy was the debate, then two days of his burqa...There is certainly a need for the BJP to continue articulating serious issues among the people... While Modi leadership will do good to the BJP, I stand by that the BJP should continue focusing on the real issues.”

Interestingly, Sinha's statement went down well with pro-Modi supporters who said, "Modi will touch upon on all the issues that Sinha mentions. But, as his style, Modi will always leave behind a remark that leaves the Congress agitated and keeps the focus on him."

For now, Modi's intends to conquer the entire political space, a BJP insider said. "The Congress may end up in his trap if it keeps harping on secularism versus Modi. That is what Modi wants now."

AW: Suchorita Dutta