#SuperSaturday: BJP to announce UP CM amid speculations
Speculations have intensified that Union Minister Manoj Sinha is Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah's choice to be Uttar Pradesh's next Chief Minister. By elevating Sinha to the top post in the politically critical state, BJP will have indicated that merit matters more than other considerations. However, BJP is expected to make a formal announcement after a party meeting in Lucknow.
About Manoj Sinha
Manoj Sinha was born on 1 July 1959 in Mohanpura in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district. He has B.Tech and M.Tech degrees in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi (earlier called IT-BHU), where he was the Students Union President. The three-time Ghazipur MP maintains a low profile but is known to be sincere, whose work speaks more than his words.
Elected thrice to Lok Sabha from Ghazipur
Manoj Sinha was inducted as a member of BJP National Council in 1989. He was elected to Lok Sabha from the Ghazipur constituency in 1996, 1999, and 2014. He was a member of General Council, School of Planning, Committee on Energy, and Committee on Government Assurances. In Jul'16, he became the Union Minister of Communications (Independent Charge) and Minister of State of Railways.
An agriculturist at heart
Sinha, an agriculturist at heart, is actively involved in working for uplifting people in backward villages, where his interests primarily lie. He is passionate about doing social work. Travelling has also been his passion in life.
Sinha, a caste-neutral CM contender
After the recent UP Assembly Elections, Sinha is considered one of the front-runners to become the CM. Sinha's Bhumihar caste, initially considered a handicap, turned out to be advantageous as he became a strong, caste-neutral CM contender. Apart from being the Communications Minister, he handled key assignments as the Railways Minister, including connecting several eastern UP cities, which was a huge plus point.
One of the most honest MPs
Sinha's commitment and work have been praised by many, including PM Narendra Modi. According to India Today, he is one of the seven most honest MPs as he set an example by successfully utilizing all the money allotted to him for public welfare.
Why is BJP keen on choosing Sinha?
A lot has been said about BJP before and after UP polls. If Sinha is chosen as the CM, the party would send a strong message that castes don't affect its preference on governance-related issues. BJP is breaking stereotypes that a CM candidate should belong to a caste having "numerical preponderance." It shows the quality of the person matters more than caste for BJP.
