SP main contender in UP polls: BJP chief

BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday said the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh will be his party's main rival in the assembly polls scheduled for next year as it has strong cadre support.

Shah said he was confident of the BJP coming to power in Uttar Pradesh, adding that "maladministration" will be the main issue in the assembly elections.

"The SP will be the main challenge in Uttar Pradesh as it has staunch cadre support," Shah told journalists at a function held here to mark two years of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

He, however, said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not yet decided on projecting a chief ministerial candidate in the state, though it is open to the idea.

"There has been no discussion in the party about projecting a chief ministerial candidate. We will take a call when the matter comes up," he said.

Shah said the BJP had not yet taken a decision on whether to replace Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel or not.

--IANS

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