Biren in Manipur, but Goa, Ukhand?

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting regarding the formation of government in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Manipur at his official residence on Sunday evening.

Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh and party chief JP Nadda were present at the meeting. The party’s central observers will be going to the states tomorrow, sources said. After the BJP’s huge victory in four of the five states, the party has had a balancing act managing the “internal expectations” of the state leaders, sources have indicated. In states like Goa and Manipur, that has developed into factionalism, with multiple candidates emerging for the post of CM.

Earlier today, the BJP announced that N Biren Singh will continue as the Chief Minister of Manipur for a second straight term. The announcement came a day after Mr Singh, along with the other contenders -- Biswajit Singh and Yumnam Khemchand -- met the top leadership.

There is also suspense over the top post in Goa where a race is in progress between Pramod Sawant and Vishwajit Rane. Earlier this week, sources said Mr Sawant is likely to get a second term at the top post.

In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will take oath for his second term on Friday, the BJP said earlier this week. But there has been no word on the size of his cabinet or the names finalised for various ministries.

A key question is whether or not Yogi Adityanath’s deputy in last term, Keshav Maurya, will be included. Mr Maurya has lost the election.

Sources indicated that senior leader AK Sharma has emerged as a contender for the post. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das are the observer and coobserver for government formation in Uttar Pradesh. (PTI)