The new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh will be sworn in on March 17. Although the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hasn’t announced its chief ministerial candidate as yet, it has set the date of March 17 for the swearing in ceremony.
There have been several names doing the rounds for the post of UP CM. As many as four leaders are in the fray for chief ministerial post. Besides, state party chief Keshav Maurya, firebrand BJP leader Yogi Adityanath, MoS Manoj Sinha and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh are also being discussed as a possibility.
The massive mandate has provided more option for PM Modi and Amit Shah to consider candidates with grass root connect and the ability to accelerate the implementation of development schemes in tandem with Centre.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh despite denying the news continues to be the frontrunner for the post. Both BJP president Amit Shah and Rajnath have discussed this issue and there is a possibility of the latter being relieved of his responsibility as Home minister and being sent to UP.
Keshav Prasad Maurya, who comes from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad stock, belongs to Most Backward Caste. UP has never seen a MBC chief minister in the past. Mentored under Ashok Singhal, Maurya became the face of of BJP’s non-Yadav backward votes.
On March 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Maurya. Sources say that the discussion was related to who would be the next UP CM. The BJP feels that UP should be run by an experienced person. Moreover, the BJP wants a face in UP who can cater to all communities and Rajnath fits the bill well.
