BIHARSHARIF: A senior leader of Lalu Prasad's RJD has described BJP poll panel chief Narendra Modi as the "most popular" leader of the country today who has the capability to become Prime Minister.

Mocking the incumbent PM Manmohan Singh , RJD MLC Nawal Kishore Yadav told reporters here on Monday night, "democracy is run by speeches and not by bullet."

"Narendra Modi has the voice to raise issues concerning the common man ... he (Modi) is the most popular leader of the country today," Yadav said. Biharsharif is the headquarters of Nalanda district, the native place of chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Asked if Modi has the quality to become PM, Yadav said "when a person is popular he can become PM or anything else." "He (Modi) will be any day better than the present Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," he said. "We have a Prime Minister in Manmohan Singh today who is not political leader of the country or people ... how can he represent 125 crore Indians?" Yadav said.