BJP president Rajnath Singh Monday appeared defensive about the appointment of Narendra Modis close confidant Amit Shah as general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh,saying giving him the responsibility was not a crime and it was not done under any pressure. He (Shah) is a general secretary of the party and has been a minister in a highly successful state. I think making him in-charge is not a crime, Singh told reporters. Shah was the Minister of State for Home in Gujarat. He has faced allegations of involvement in the Sohrabuddin encounter case. Singh denied that there was pressure from Gujarat Chief Minister Modi to appoint Shah as in-charge of UP. Modi has not recommended anybody, Singh said.
