However, the party, which is trying to brand Narendra Modi as the new Hindutva mascot, does not mince any words to laud his performance and feels it would be stretching things too far to think that Modi could emerge as a national leader at this point of time.

"The next Lok Sabha election will be contested under L K Advani's leadership. Advani is our candidate for Prime Minister," a senior BJP leader said.

"There is no question of Modi becoming Prime Minister despite his victory in Gujarat election," he said.

His recent rally in Mumbai was successful and the state BJP leaders gave an indication that the Gujarat pattern could be duplicated in Maharashtra for the 2009 Assembly elections.

"Modi's popularity has increased after the Gujarat elections. So Modi will continue to campaign in Maharashtra and other states," BJP senior leader said.

Despite the airing of Tehelka tapes just on the eve of elections, and issues like the fake encounter case of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, opposition from Rashtriya Swayavsevak Sangh (RSS) cropping up besides the anti-Modi campaign unleashed by the Congress, Modi stunned his detractors and fuelled speculations that he could soon become a national face of BJP.

"Modi certainly has good future in national politics. But he will complete five years term as CM of Gujarat," he said.