New Delhi, July 14 (The Telegraph): The BJP scrambled for cover today after claims that party chief Amit Shah had suggested that Narendra Modi's promise of "achchhe din (good days)" could be a mirage.

Coal and power minister Piyush Goyal, one of the government's most articulate spokespersons, was fielded to defend the BJP president against the Opposition's jibes that appeared to hurt Modi more as "achchhe din" was his winning catchphrase last year.

The controversy began this morning after some newspapers quoted Shah as saying at a closed-door party meeting in Bhopal yesterday that it would be 25 years before the country could see "achchhe din". The statement attributed to him was made at the launch of a BJP mass-contact campaign in Madhya Pradesh - where the party has been battling the Vyapam scandal.

Today, Goyal said the media had misquoted Shah and "put words in his mouth", following it up with a video excerpt of Shah's speech.

In the clip, Shah is heard saying: "The time has come for India to catapult to top place in the global order but no government can do it in a five-year term. This does not mean that in five years, a government cannot do a lot. But to propel 'Bharat Mata' (Mother India) to the status of 'Vishwa Guru' (universal edifier) is a task that will take 25 years, not just five years."

The screening over, Goyal said: "Please note there is not a single mention of " achchhe din". Asked about the alleged statement attributed to Shah, Goyal retorted: "Please ask the journalists who reported."

Sources in Bhopal admitted a "leak", but refused to confirm whether Shah had said " achchhe din" would take long to arrive. "I can't say if he said it. But some mischievous elements had briefed the media to embarrass him and the Prime Minister," a veteran MP said. Asked if the controversial portions were deleted from the clip shown at the news conference, he said: "I can't say."

A source explained the urgency for the damage-control. "Belying the promise was like hitting Modi hard. This is why we had to stem the negative spin-off instantly."

Shah, who completed his first year as party chief this month, is not known to share Modi's forte on political messages. "At times, his articulation is weak and the wrong signals go down the line. Shah's an adept back-room manager. He is not the best public face we have," the source said.

Addressing Bengal leaders last week in Howrah, Shah reportedly told them to "prepare for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls", shifting focus from next year's Assembly polls and fuelled speculation ranging from inadequacies of the BJP's organisational strength in the state to the apparent bonhomie with ruling Trinamul.

BJP general secretary and Bengal minder Kailash Vijayvargiya "clarified" that Shah had set two targets, one for 2016 and the other for 2019. That included a mandate to defeat Trinamul and form a BJP government in Calcutta.

Shah's date with gaffes began this January when he dismissed Modi's high-decibel pitch for repatriating black money salted away in foreign banks as a " jumla" - an Urdu word for a sentence uttered in a manner of speaking.