Union minister Khatik’s aide named BJP Niwari dist president

Bhopal: The BJP state unit on Saturday announced Rajesh Pateria as the new district president for Niwari. Pateria, who serves as the MP representative of Union minister for social justice Virendra Kumar Khatik, was appointed after much delay and postponement, following Khatik's persistent demand for appointing his representative as party district chief. Pateria is the 60th district president appointed. Only two organisational districts -- Indore (city) and Indore (rural) -- remain without presidents. Khatik has had a major say in the appointment of both Saroj Rajput as district president for Tikamgarh and Rajesh Pateria as district president of Niwari. Sources in the party explained that the stalwart Union ministers from the state have ensured that their recommended candidate became the district presidents within the areas of their Lok Sabha constituencies. Former CM and incumbent Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan got his men appointed in Vidisha, Sehore and Raisen. The Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency stretches through these three districts. Similarly, Union minister for communications Jyotiraditya Scindia appointed his supporter and former MLA Jaswant Jatav as the district president for Shivpuri. Party sources said the last two district presidents for Indore (city) and Indore (rural) will also be declared within the next two to three days. Thereafter, the process will start for the appointment of the next BJP state president.