After a massive mandate in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is now grappling with the selection of chief minister for this most politically volatile state.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the leading contender for the top post. Singh, who had been the party president for three times and is active in politics in the Centre for the past 17 years, is unwilling to hold the charge. Insiders, however, say after the RSS’s approval, he may not decline the offer.
Singh outsmarts other aspirants in terms of his administrative and political experience. Moreover, he was the chief minister of UP from 2000 to 2002.
Other names doing the rounds include Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, who enjoys the trust of PM Modi and represents eastern UP district of Gazipur. Sinha has a clean reputation and acceptability among the voters of his constituency. Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is the present head of the BJP in UP is also in the race. Maurya comes from the backward caste and although he lacks the administrative experience for the post, his elevation as state party chief proved lucky for the BJP in the elections.
What works in his favour is his ‘Hindutva image’ and Sangh’s liking for him.
The first time winner from Mathura, Shrikant Sharma is close to BJP president Amit Shah and is in reckoning. If party would like to appoint an upper caste chief minister from Brhamin community, then Sharma stands a bright chance.
Another potential candidate is Dinesh Sharma, who is the mayor of Lucknow. Sharma is close to both Modi and Shah, and this was the reason he was appointed as in-charge of an important state like Gujarat. He has a clean image and has administrative experience required for the job.
BJP’s poster boy and firebrand Yogi Adityanath is said to be in the race. Though he has a image of an hardliner, the way the party high command deployed him for vigorous campaigning in western UP and other places, reveals that he too may have a chance to be the state's CM.
