In big message, top BJP netas accompany Maurya for nomination

UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya filed his nomination on Thursday from Sirathu assembly seat in the presence of BJP national president JP Nadda, UP BJP election incharge Dharmendra Pradhan and Union minister Anupriya Patel. Maurya became an MLA from the seat for the first time in 2012.

The BJP is trying its best to project Maurya as a leader who is important in the party's scheme of things. Recently, several OBC leaders had resigned from the party and they all blamed the party for ignoring the OBC leadership. Some of them like Swami Prasad Maurya have been constantly naming Keshav Maurya saying that he was not getting what he deserves in the party.

The party made his nomination a high profile one with the participation of the senior leadership. Anupriya Patel was asked to join the leaders a day before the nomination when Samajwadi Party announced her sister Pallavi Patel against Keshav Maurya from Sirathu. Sirathu assembly has a sizable population of Patels and to counter Pallavi Patel's candidature, Anupriya Patel was present at the nomination.

Pallavi Patel is in Apna Dal(K), a faction led by her mother Krishna Patel. Apna Dal (K) is in alliance with SP. Although SP has announced Pallavi Patel as the candidate from Sirathu, Patel is not interested in contesting from the seat.

"She is a leader of Apna Dal (K). How can SP include her name in their candidate list," Pankaj Niranjan, general secretary of Apna Dal (K) told ET. Niranjan is Pallavi Patel's husband. Niranjan says his party had announced candidates from a few seats as other partners were uncomfortable with that.