Khatri replaces Bahuguna as UPCC chief

Member of Parliament from Faizabad Nirmal Khatri is learnt to have been replaced Rita Bahuguna Joshi as Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president. Khatri was reportedly informed about the change by the Congress high command late on Monday evening,

Khatri,62,could not be contacted but sources close to him confirmed that he has received the information. Khatri started his political career with the Youth Congress in the early 70s and had also served as president of UP Youth Congress in 1982. From 2004-2010,Khatri also served as All India Congress Committee secretary.

Joshi,Congress MLA from Lucknow Cantonment,was holding the post of UPCC chief for the past four years. After the 2009 Lok Sabha elections,there were talks of Khatri as the probable choice for the post but sources said he had then refused it due to ill-health. Joshi was,therefore,given extension. Joshi had offered her resignation after the Congress debacle in the recent Assembly elections in the state and her resignation had been pending since.