Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Thursday surprised his critics and loyalists alike, declaring he intended to serve the people of his state till 2017.

His statement, part of a broader reply to a child's question, came amid the clamour within the BJP ranks to declare him the party's prime ministerial pick ahead of the 2014 polls.

Modi's critics were quick to read his remark as a sign that he was adopting a "tactical strategy" to show apparent disinterest in being declared as the BJP's choice for the top post, especially when the declaration is expected to be made shortly.  Read