NEW DELHI, Dhu-AlQa'dah 7, 1434, Sep 13, 2013, SPA -- India's main opposition Hindu nationalist party on Friday named a controversial Hindu ideologue as its candidate for prime minister if it wins national elections next year, AP reported. Narendra Modi, 62, is likely to challenge Rahul Gandhi, the heir to India's Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, who is widely expected to lead the ruling Congress party in the campaign. Gandhi was elevated to the Congress party's No. 2 position early this year behind his mother Sonia Gandhi, who is its president. Modi, chief minister of western Gujarat state for the past 11 years, has been accused of doing little to stop anti-Muslim riots in the state in 2002 which left more than 1,000 dead. On Feb. 27, 2002, a train fire in Gujarat killed 60 Hindu pilgrims. Muslims were blamed for the fire and weeks of rioting followed. No evidence directly links Modi to the violence and he says he has no responsibility for the killings. Modi in his acceptance speech promised to do his best to earn public support to win power from the scandal-ridden Congress party, which has been in power for nine years. Modi's name was announced by Bharatiya Janata Party President Rajnath Singh after a meeting of party lawmakers. It was preceded by efforts by party leaders to win an endorsement for Modi from Lal Krishna Advani, 85, the most senior party leader. Advani stayed away from the lawmakers' meeting, apparently to show his opposition to the elevation of Modi, indicating a division within the party over Modi's role. -- SPA 20:16 LOCAL TIME 17:16 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1145789