RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has apparently come round to accepting Narendra Modi as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate for 2014. Or has he? At an RSS-VHP meet at the kumbh mela on Thursday, he indeed made several comments on this hotly debated topic, but they remain cryptic in some media reports while there are other news reports that have got a clear hint. The Times of India concludes from the quotes (below) that Bhagwat has hinted support for Modi, while the Indian Express says he has left the decision to BJP, and moreover has a quote wherein Bhagwat seems to be comparing Modi with Hitler.

Here are the samplers, Bhagwat quotes from three papers. Try to make sense out of them!

The Times of India
RSS chief backs Narendra Modi for PM candidate

"The mood in the country and popular sentiments in the party in favour of a particular political leader need to be taken into account while choosing a candidate to be projected as the future PM."

"People know what is in your heart. The whole country is echoing the same sentiment."

[Indicating that the Sangh will offer no resistance to Modi] "And that is why (keeping popular sentiment in mind), we should not interfere with what should be done. They will have to take a decision... whatever we may say, those who should do it, it is their right."

The Indian Express
Bhagwat says BJP to decide PM issue

"Let us not enter into other's jurisdiction. The issue is already being talked about... It is they who have to take a decision. If they commit a mistake, they will bear the brunt."

"Ek sangathan, ek party, ek neta, yeh is Hindu jagruti ka ek padaav ho sakta hai; lekin humein rukna nahin hai (One organisation, one party, one leader can be a step; but we can't stop in this journey to rejuvenate Hindu ideals)."

"Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely"... "We will have to get rid of a bad habit of ours. We will have to stop contracting our tasks to others." He also reminded the gathering that "humein Hitler nahin chahiye (we don't want a Hitler)".

The Economic Times
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat hints at his endorsement of Narendra Modi as PM candidate

"What is in everybody's heart and mind should be acknowledged by those who have to decide who should lead the nation."

"The media asks me who would lead the nation... who should be brought forward in elections. But whatever I say, it is ultimately a decision to be taken by those who are authorised to do so."

"If they do not pay heed to the demand of the people, they will face the consequences. What is in people minds and hearts should be acknowledged."