Is Mr Modi the man for India?

Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarat state, gestures on the podium (Reuters)

Narendra Modi isn't actually standing for election as Indian Prime Minister yet, although you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Since the main opposition party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced he will be leading its election campaign, the world media has been busy sizing up his leadership potential.

"Mr Modi’s defenders say that by picking the Gujarat chief minister as the man to lead the campaign, the party has bet on a man who promises decisive and strong leadership, espouses a brand of muscular nationalism, and appeals to the young and a wide swathe of India’s booming and restless middle class, " said BBC News's Soutik Biswas.

Banyan, a blogger for The Economist was a little more reserved: "Mr Modi appears to be a skilled politician, who adjusts to changing circumstances... he will have to show the ability to compromise, flatter, cajole and more, if he is to get uppity regional politicians into his fold."