On results eve, Amar flays UP CM over pact

New Delhi, March 10: A day after exit polls predicted a saffron surge, expelled Samjawadi Party leader, Amar Singh resumed attack on UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, blaming his move to align with the Congress for the expected good showing of the BJP in the state.

Mr Singh flayed the UP government for corruption and non-development and hailed PM Modi for taking courageous decisions.

The race is closing in between three Sharmas and one Maurya for the chief minister’s post if the BJP comes to power in Uttar Pradesh.

A day after exit polls pointed to the BJP emerging as the biggest party in the state, speculation has begun about the possible chief minister. The party sources say if the BJP opts for an upper caste face, the choice would narrow down to three Sharmas — Dinesh Sharma, Mahesh Sharma and Shrikant Sharma.

If sources are to be believed, the mantle could fall on BJP vicepresident Dinesh Sharma, who is also the mayor of Lucknow.

Dinesh Sharma has recorded a meteoric rise in the BJP in the Modi era. Though he lacks a pan-UP appeal, what goes in his favour is his commitment to the party leadership. He has acceptability among party workers and his amiable nature works in his favour. Dinesh Sharma is also a professor in the Lucknow University.

Mahesh Sharma, Union minister for tourism, is also a likely choice for the CM’s post. He enjoys the confidence of PM Narendra Modi and BJP president

If the BJP opts for an upper caste face, the choice would narrow down to Dinesh Sharma, Mahesh Sharma and Shrikant Sharma

If it opts for OBC face, state chief Keshav Maurya would be the most obvious choice

Amit Shah and has executed some covert assignments within the party with precision and perfection.

He has built up a base for himself in western UP where he is also known as a popular medical practitioner.

Shrikant Sharma, BJP national secretary and party spokesman, could emerge as the proverbial dark horse, if party sources are to be believed. “Shrikant Sharma, a Brahmin, was born in Mathura but has been living in Delhi. He was asked to return to his hometown and contest from Mathura. He is the blueeyed boy of the PM, party chief and finance minister Arun Jaitley,” said a BJP functionary.

Sources insist if the party opts for an OBC face, state chief Keshav Maurya would be the most obvious choice.