Maithani is new BJP city president

KANPUR: Surendra Maithani was elected as the city president of Bhartiya Janata Party late on Saturday. Though Pramod Tripathi was also in the fray for the post, his candidature was rejected since his eight proposers were not present before the returning officer.
The election was held at the BJP city office in Naveen Market. Surendra Maithani of MLA Satish Mahana group filed his nomination before returning officers Shiv Pratap Shukla and Ashok Dubey.Just before the closure of nomination time, Pramod Tripathi, a representative of Prem Lata Katiyar and Satya Dev Pachauri group filed his nomination papers. His nomination reportedly irked the Maithani group who were anticipating an unopposed election.
At the stipulated time, the returning officers started verification of proposers. Proposer Viresh Tripathi (Veeru) of Pramod Tripathi was found missing.
When he could not be traced, the returning officers asked the candidate to contact him so that his signatures could be verified. Viresh Tripathi later informed that he was suffering from cold and therefore had left the place.
Returning officer Shiv Pratap Shukla said the proposer must be present at the time of verification. Soon, senior leaders intervened in the matter and reportedly 'suggested' to Pramod Tripathi that he withdraw his candidature. After considering the situation, Pramod withdrew his candidature and congratulated Maithani.
The returning officers thereafter declared that Maithani was elected unanimously. Some party members felt that Pramod's withdrawal was a setback for Premlata Katiyar and Satyadev Pachauri group but an achievement for Mahana group. MLA Salil Vishnoi group was neutral in this election. Vishnoi later commented that MLAs should not be active in party's organizational elections.
Later, election officers declared Munna Gupta, Chatrasal Uttam, Shambhunath Pandey, Satish Sharma, Chandra Kumar Gangwani as elected members of the state council.