"Our public life will continue. We'll now focus on strengthening the organization and take it to the grassroots level. We don't want to oppose the government just for the sake of opposition. But we are vigilant about the issues and would raise them at the right time. It is one thing to win an election on charisma, but one has to see if the people are really happy or benefiting from the government. As for me, I am in no hurry to contest the election," he said.

"I am with the SPUS and working for it," added former BJP National Executive Member Suresh Mehta. He, however, refused to say anything beyond this.

For many, however, silence remained the best option. Dhiru Gajera, one of the most vocal rebels from Surat who had joined the Congress and contested under the party's ticket only to lose to his BJP rival Nanu Banani with a margin of over 22,000 votes, refrained from commenting on the status of rebellion. Another senior rebel leader on condition of anonymity said that the elections helped the BJP in finding a replacement for L K Advani. The polls had bolstered Modi's position and ambition within the party and he would now be in the run for Lok Sabha election, he said.

"It was in this connection, that the felicitation of Modi by the diamond merchants was organised in Mumbai recently. At this point of time, making any statement would only rake up unnecessary noise, which I don't want," he added.