The SP's previous choice, Supreme Court lawyer Bhanu Pratap Singh, had disappointed party workers as he was seen as an "outsider" with no political credentials
Tyagis, cutting across religious lines, form big numbers in west UP; BJP asks if beatings don't happen in madrasas, SP, BKU part of “patch-up” bid, want FIR against principal Tripta Tyagi dropped
Official reason is that yatra coincided with party's events. But BJP is trying to regain lost ground in the area, with Pasmanda Muslim push one attempt to reach out to community
BJP and Hindu outfit members protested outside Chandra Shekhar Azad University, where the ceremony was held, following which police released the councillors.