High drama marks UP BJP chief poll

By Our Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW, AUG. 16. The Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party presidential election was marked today by high drama with the party vice-president, Mr. Ram Prakash Tripathi, determined to scuttle the BJP high command's efforts to ensure unanimity over the choice of the new party chief. While the national general secretary, Mr. K. N. Govindacharya, was still trying to get the official nominee, Mr. Kalraj Mishra, elected unopposed, Mr. Tripathi said he would not withdraw from contest.

Three candidates had filed their nomination papers as the deadline for filing nominations expired at 2 p.m. today.While the third candidate, Mr. Shailendra Kumar Nishad, withdrew his papers later, Mr. Tripathi refused to allow Mr. Kalraj Mishra, the Minister for PWD, go unopposed. The nomination papers of both Mr. Tripathi and Mr. Mishra have been found valid, according to the returning officer, Mr. Pyarelal Khandelwal.

The deadline fixed for withdrawal of candidature had been fixed for 8 tonight but it might be extended to ensure unopposed elections, Mr. Khandelwal said. ``It is an internal matter of the party,'' he added.

Mr. Govindacharya said he would make full efforts to bring about unanimity in the elections to the top party post in U.P.

Polling, if necessary, would commence at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

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