BJP MP Avinash Rai Khanna appointed party poll officer

A day after reshuffling the party in-charge of state units, BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday appointed Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna as the national election officer for organisational elections.

Khanna, an MP from Punjab, was recently elevated as party vice president and given additional responsibility as the in-charge of Rajasthan along with Jammu and Kashmir.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's organisational elections are set to take place between September and December.

Shah also appointed Ram Madhav, the party general secretary, as election in-charge of poll-bound Assam. He will be assisted by union minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Ram Madhav, who was not given any responsibility by Shah during Friday's reshuffle, will now officially work as the point person between the BJP and the Jammu and Kashmir government.

The BJP shared power with the Peoples Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Madhav had played a crucial role in government formation in the state.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda will now work as secretary of the BJP's parliamentary board, the party's highest decision-making body. Nadda replaces another union minister, Ananth Kumar.

Shah also appointed Gopal Agarwal as party spokesperson, especially for economic issues. Agarwal is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and has vast experience in economic matters.

Recently elevated as party general secretary, Arun Singh will continue to be the headquarter in-charge.