Mishra, whose term as BCI chairman ends on 16 April 2014, said at a press conference in Varanasi: “I am speaking in my capacity as a representative of 1.7 million lawyers across the country. I am not expressing my support for Modi on behalf of the Bar Council of India, which is a statutory body and cannot take a political stand.”

He added:

“I can sense that lawyers across the country have already made up their mind to vote for a stable government and a strong leadership for stemming the rot that had seeped in during the two successive tenures of the Congress-led UPA government, which allowed the malaise of corruption to fester in the name of coalition compulsion.

Even the judiciary would not have been spared the corruption prevailing in other spheres had the Bar Council of India not vehemently protested against provisions of Judicial Appointments Commission wherein a free hand was proposed for politicians in appointments of judges in high courts and the Supreme Court.

Lawyers have always played a crucial role in bringing about a change in the country whenever required. They must rise to the occasion this time as well and help Modi in the interests of the country.”

The PTI reported that Mishra said he would be “camping in Varanasi for a week in the near future” and would travel the country to meet bar associations to canvass for Modi, whose “Gujarat model of development must be replicated everywhere to ensure country-wide progress”.

Mishra had made headlines in March, when appearing at a BCI function in Gandhinagar alongside Modi, calling the Gujarat politician “Mahatma Gandhi reborn”.

Mishra’s term as BCI chairman is due to end on 16 April but he said he might contest for BCI chairmanship again, though at least one other candidate was also in the running, Legally India reported last month.