Mr Modi, who belongs to the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has not reacted to the development.

BBC: India minister Narendra Modi's US speech cancelled

These states are mostly ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

ECONOMIST: Religious conversions

Reports said the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Goa had rejected the proposal after misgivings in the party.

BBC: Playboy's first India club rejected in Goa

Varanasi, a stronghold of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been decked up with flags of different parties jutting out from shops and buildings.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | Indian holy city goes to polls

Rajnath Singh, president of the main opposition Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party, demanded that India scale down the level of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

NPR: Indians Angry At Convicted Spy's Death In Pakistan

Recent exit polls, while calling it a close race, have indicated that the incumbent United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the Indian National Congress may have a slight edge over the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

FORBES: Indian Elections

Mr Vajpayee's own party, the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, is ideologically disinclined to make the sort of concessions that might pacify them.

ECONOMIST: No hope for Kashmir?