Modi for PM: why did Advani want to wait until November?

Advani (and, until the last minute, Sushma Swaraj) is said to have asked the BJP top brass to defer Modi's anointment as PM candidate until November. Many people see this as mere pique on the part of the old warhorse or even a mere stalling tactic: put off the decision first, then get it spiked. Veteran columnist Rajinder Puri has a more plausible explanation:

What is so important about the November assembly results? Mr. Modi’s candidature as future PM raises some misgivings among potential future allies for a coalition government. That is why it is necessary for the party to obtain an outright or a near clear majority on its own if he is to be the next PM. Going by media reports, the reaction of its party workers, and opinion polls, BJP leaders are convinced there is a nationwide tidal wave in Mr. Modi’s favour that renders single party majority likely. However there is as yet no tangible evidence of this support translating into votes.......

....In November all the BJP units going to the polls are expected to comfortably win with or without Mr. Modi’s support. Except the Delhi assembly election in which the BJP sits in opposition. Delhi therefore will test in November how far Mr. Modi’s perceived charisma can deliver results. That is why perhaps Mr. Advani and Mrs. Swaraj want to delay Mr. Modi’s candidature as next PM till after the November poll. If BJP cannot win Delhi there could be serious rethinking and the party would need a prime ministerial candidate acceptable to potential allies who would be badly needed. 

Puri also suggests that, in the event that neither the BJP nor the Congress is able to form a government, there could be an effort to install Mr Pranab Mukherjee as PM. 

In November all the BJP units going to the polls are expected to comfortably win with or without Mr. Modi’s support. Except the Delhi assembly election in which the BJP sits in opposition. Delhi therefore will test in November how far Mr. Modi’s perceived charisma can deliver results. That is why perhaps Mr. Advani and Mrs. Swaraj want to delay Mr. Modi’s candidature as next PM till after the November poll. If BJP cannot win Delhi there could be serious rethinking and the party would need a prime ministerial candidate acceptable to potential allies who would be badly needed. - See more at: http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=14933#sthash.D1TpHSWh.dpuf

What is so important about the November assembly results? Mr. Modi’s candidature as future PM raises some misgivings among potential future allies for a coalition government. That is why it is necessary for the party to obtain an outright or a near clear majority on its own if he is to be the next PM. Going by media reports, the reaction of its party workers, and opinion polls, BJP leaders are convinced there is a nationwide tidal wave in Mr. Modi’s favour that renders single party majority likely. However there is as yet no tangible evidence of this support translating into votes. - See more at: http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=14933#sthash.D1TpHSWh.dpuf

What is so important about the November assembly results? Mr. Modi’s candidature as future PM raises some misgivings among potential future allies for a coalition government. That is why it is necessary for the party to obtain an outright or a near clear majority on its own if he is to be the next PM. Going by media reports, the reaction of its party workers, and opinion polls, BJP leaders are convinced there is a nationwide tidal wave in Mr. Modi’s favour that renders single party majority likely. However there is as yet no tangible evidence of this support translating into votes - See more at: http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=14933#sthash.D1TpHSWh.dpuf

What is so important about the November assembly results? Mr. Modi’s candidature as future PM raises some misgivings among potential future allies for a coalition government. That is why it is necessary for the party to obtain an outright or a near clear majority on its own if he is to be the next PM. Going by media reports, the reaction of its party workers, and opinion polls, BJP leaders are convinced there is a nationwide tidal wave in Mr. Modi’s favour that renders single party majority likely. However there is as yet no tangible evidence of this support translating into votes - See more at: http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=14933#sthash.D1TpHSWh.dpuf

What is so important about the November assembly results? Mr. Modi’s candidature as future PM raises some misgivings among potential future allies for a coalition government. That is why it is necessary for the party to obtain an outright or a near clear majority on its own if he is to be the next PM. Going by media reports, the reaction of its party workers, and opinion polls, BJP leaders are convinced there is a nationwide tidal wave in Mr. Modi’s favour that renders single party majority likely. However there is as yet no tangible evidence of this support translating into votes - See more at: http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=14933#sthash.D1TpHSWh.dpuf

What is so important about the November assembly results? Mr. Modi’s candidature as future PM raises some misgivings among potential future allies for a coalition government. That is why it is necessary for the party to obtain an outright or a near clear majority on its own if he is to be the next PM. Going by media reports, the reaction of its party workers, and opinion polls, BJP leaders are convinced there is a nationwide tidal wave in Mr. Modi’s favour that renders single party majority likely. However there is as yet no tangible evidence of this support translating into votes - See more at: http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=14933#sthash.D1TpHSWh.dpuf

What is so important about the November assembly results? Mr. Modi’s candidature as future PM raises some misgivings among potential future allies for a coalition government. That is why it is necessary for the party to obtain an outright or a near clear majority on its own if he is to be the next PM. Going by media reports, the reaction of its party workers, and opinion polls, BJP leaders are convinced there is a nationwide tidal wave in Mr. Modi’s favour that renders single party majority likely. However there is as yet no tangible evidence of this support translating into votes - See more at: http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=14933#sthash.D1TpHSWh.dpuf