Upadhyay to continue as Delhi BJP chief, Manoj Sinha likely to head UP

Satish Upadhyay is all set to continue as Delhi BJP chief while union minister Manoj Sinha is likely to replace Laxmikant Bajpai as head of Uttar Pradesh unit of Bharatiya Janata Party, informed sources said.

Upadhyay, who took over after Harsh Vardhan was elevated to the union cabinet after being elected an MP from Chandni Chowk, if nominated for the post, will get a full three year term.

Despite BJP's rout in Delhi assembly elections in 2014 by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Upadhyay emerged as the front runner for the post because of the forthcoming civic bodies elections. He has been active in local body politics and had been chairman of education committee of South Delhi Municipal Corporation too.

Sources told to IANS that Upadhyay's name as state BJP chief has been finalised and it is just a matter of annoucement.

The BJP, is also set to annouce its Chief in Uttar Pradesh in a day or two as the term of Bajpai is over.

Uttar Pradesh will go for polls in 2017.

A BJP source told IANS that Sinha, the minister of state for railways, has emerged as the front runner for the top post.

However, five-term MLA Dharampal Singh Lodhi, an Other Backward Class (OBC) leader is also in the race.