NEW DELHI: Popular playback singer Lata Mangeshkar sang praise for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi on Friday, saying she wished to see the prime ministerial nominee make it to the top office, The Hindustan Times said.

Addressing an event where Mr Modi inaugurated a super-specialty hospital in the memory of her father, Ms Mangeshkar said: “I pray to God... that Narendrabhai becomes the prime minister of the country.”

“Your response suggests you want the same,” she swiftly told the gathering after her statement was received by a huge round of applause, the report said.

“The noted singer, who has lent her voice to four generations of Indian cinema, wished the Gujarat chief minister luck for the future before her sister, Asha Bhonsle, broke into a Gujarati song to show her support for the BJP leader,” the report from Pune said.

Mr Modi hopes to count on the Marathi-speaking crowd that looks up to Lata Mangeshkar as an icon. “I am fortunate that the Mangeshkar family has honoured me. Lata Didi sent me a letter six months back. I consider it as one of the biggest gifts,” Mr Modi said.

Mr Modi later delivered a 30-minute speech to pitch for changes in the healthcare sector. “Health insurance has its own place, but the poor in the country need health assurance,” he said.

“We are proud that more than 65 per cent of our population is below 35 years of age. Through skill development, we can employ them in the health sector.”

He also talked about the need for a global approach in the sector.

“We can even join hands with the rest of the world through the health sector, just like how a Pakistani girl was recently operated upon in Bangalore. It brought cheer to many in the neighbouring country,” Mr Modi said.