BJP Chief Meets Allies Ahead Of UP Government Formation

BJP chief JP Nadda's meeting with Anupriya Patel and Sanjay Nishad came a day after Yogi Adityanath held deliberations with him.

BJP president J P Nadda on Thursday met leaders of the party's allies in Uttar Pradesh -- Anupriya Patel of the Apna Dal(S) and Sanjay Nishad of the Nishad party -- at his residence in New Delhi as part of its government formation exercise.

Mr Nadda's meeting with the allies came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held deliberations with him as the party worked to firm up the composition of the new government following its thumping win in the assembly polls.

Mr Nadda met Ms Patel and Mr Nishad separately along with BJP's Uttar Pradesh poll-incharge Dharmendra Pradhan and state unit chief Swatantra Dev Singh, and is believed to have discussed matter related to government formation.

While Mr Adityanath is all but certain to occupy the top post, the BJP is grappling with the question whether to have deputy chief minister. It is also considering if outgoing deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya who lost the election can be reinstated in his old position.