Khanna J&K in-charge

JAMMU: The BJP on Saturday roped in Avinash Rai Khanna to look after the Lok Sabha elections preparations for Jammu and Kashmir, days after it made similar appointments for 17 states, even as the party sources indicated that a more senior leader may be appointed as in-charge for strife-torn state in days to come.

Avinash Rai Khanna has been roped in for Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir but the party may appoint a more senior leaders as in-charge for these states, sources said.

The BJP appointed Union ministers J P Nadda and Piyush Goyal as Lok Sabha election in-charge for Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu respectively.

Party sources also clarified that Gordhan Zadaphia, a Gujarat leader who was a critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi before returning to the BJP, would be one of the six co-incharges for the state, adding that a big state like UP needs several co-incharges.

It was earlier reported that Zadaphia would be the Uttar Pradesh in-charge. So far, the BJP has appointed three co-incharges for the state.

A BJP statement said Nadda, who enjoys the trust of Modi and party president Amit Shah, will be overall in-charge for the state that sends 80 members, more than any other state, to the Lok Sabha.

Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be in-charge for Delhi, former minister Kalraj Mishra for Haryana.

Goyal has been given the responsibility for Puducherry, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

BJP general secretary Muralidhar Rao will be the Lok Sabha election in-charge for Karnataka, the statement said.