Uttar Pradesh faces fresh uncertainty

Votes in Uttar Pradesh can determine politics in Delhi

The northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has been thrown into renewed political uncertainty after the governing BJP there sacked a key ally.

Rajnath Singh: Sacked key ally

The state Chief Minister, Rajnath Singh, has removed his Energy Minister, Naresh Agarwal, from the cabinet.

Mr Agarwal's Loktantrik Congress party has 22 members in the Uttar Pradesh state assembly and its support is crucial for the survival of the government.

Rajnath Singh is unhappy over recent comments by Mr Agarwal in which he blamed the BJP for a serious power crisis in the state.

However, at least three ministers from the Loktrantrik Congress have told journalists they support the chief minister, rather than Mr Agarwal.

The BBC's Ram Dutt Tripathi in Lucknow says it appears the party may split over the issue.

Politically crucial

Uttar Pradesh returns the largest number of MPs to the parliament in Delhi and politics there often determines the fortunes of the central government.

It is due to hold state assembly elections by next March.

The state has traditionally been a BJP stronghold, but the party has seen its support drop in recent polls.

In the 1999 general elections, the BJP lost almost half its parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the party went on to form the next government in Delhi, albeit with a reduced majority.