Lucknow, Dec. 13 -- All roads leading to the state BJP office here were jam-packed with SUVs as party leaders started arriving as early as 9.30am on Saturday to witness the filing of nomination papers for the organisation's new state president. Among the early arrivals were deputy chief ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya.

By 10.30 am, the entire BJP office was packed with party leaders and media persons. Though Union minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary's name was in circulation, till then no one was able to say with conviction who will be the next state BJP chief.

When Maurya went inside the nomination room, people also started talking about his name for the top post.

Former Union minister and ex-Amethi MP Smr...