LUCKNOW, March 17 -- The long-awaited announcement of new BJP district presidents in Uttar Pradesh has set the stage for the overdue election of the party's state president, intensifying the race for the top organisational post in the state with several names already in circulation.

The delay in finalisation of the district presidents' names was stalling the state president's election that the party had initially decided to complete by January end. But even after rounds of meetings and discussions at various levels in Lucknow and Delhi, the party has been able to announce presidents for 70 of the 98 organisational districts. The number is enough to pave the way for the election of the new BJP chief in Uttar Pradesh.

Some names for the n...