Narendra Modi could be announced BJP's PM candidate on Friday

Narendra Modi giving a speech at the BJP headquarters in Delhi

New Delhi: Rajnath Singh is scouting for dates before September 19 when all 12 members of the BJP's top decision making body, the parliamentary board, are available to meet and endorse the decision to name Narendra Modi the party's candidate for prime minister.

As of now sources said, the 13th and the 16th seem like dates when everyone is available and a Modi-for-PM announcement could be expected on either day.

There is still reportedly strong opposition from top party leaders like LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj to Mr Modi, but the RSS is believed to have told the party president that the time for discussions and consensus building is over and an announcement must now be made.

Mr Advani and Ms Swaraj are both members of the parliamentary board and the party reportedly wants to send out the signal that the decision to pick Mr Modi to lead the party in the 2014 general elections is a unanimous one.

September 19 marks the beginning of shraadh, a 15-day period just before the Navarati festival that is considered inauspicious for beginning anything important. The party, say sources, would like to make the crucial announcement before that.

The RSS reportedly favours making the announcement before assembly elections in five states are notified - expected by September 22.

The anti-Modi coterie reportedly wants the announcement delayed till after the Assembly elections are held this November.

The issue was not discussed at a two-day meeting of the RSS, the BJP and affiliated organisations this week because, the RSS said, the decision has been taken and "there is no confusion."