Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari has predicted that the saffron party would emerge as a "dark horse" in Uttar Pradesh polls saying the elected legislators there would pick up the next chief minister among themselves.
"BJP as on today has not named anyone as the chief ministerial candidate during the ongoing assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and would like to extend the freedom of choice about the future head of state to newly elected MLAs...BJP will emerge as a dark horse in polls there (Uttar Pradesh),"
Gadkari, who on Sunday returned to Nagpur from his whirlwind tour of the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, told PTI.
Without specifying the number of seats the saffron party would manage to pocket in Uttar Pradesh, Gadkari merely said the party was all set to improve its performance during the elections and "may end up recording good results".
Replying to a query on BJP ministers in Karnataka government caught watching a porn clip on their mobile phone in the state assembly, Gadkari said an internal inquiry has been initiated against the trio and a definite action would be taken.
Karnataka Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi, Women and Child Welfare Minister C C Patil and Ports Minister Krishna Palemar had to resign following an uproar over the incident.
Meanwhile, clarifying on the speculations regarding BJP's prime ministerial candidate for 2014 general elections, the party chief said, "BJP has not named any leader as the possible candidate for PM's job. The names will be declared at an opportune time.... BJP Parliamentary Board will take a final call (on the issue)".
Gadkari said he would definitely throw his hat in the ring for 2014 Lok Sabha polls but has not finalised the constituency.
The BJP chief has been shuttling between Lucknow and other parts of UP and Nagpur for campaigning for assembly polls there and Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections to be held on February 16.
"I have decided not to go canvassing for party at other important corporations like Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik to name a few but to concentrate on Nagpur where BJP is ruling the civic body," Gadkari said.
Reacting to the party ticket given to a history sheeter Anil Dhawade for municipal polls, Gadkari feigned ignorance while blaming it on the local leadership.
BJP MLA and senior leader Devendra Phadanvis had recently voiced his resentment against the party allotting ticket to Dhawde.
Gadkari termed "unfortunate" the development the two-time Mayor Atal Bahadur Singh joining Congress.
"He (Singh) is known as a king maker in local political circles. He had an impression that BJP voters ditched him which I tried to clear," added Gadkari.
Blaming Congress MP Vilas Muttemwar for stalling a 500 MW power project of civic body, Gadkari said his party would retain power in municipal corporation.