BJP chief Amit Shah denies any leadership change in party for 2019 polls

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Wednesday categorically denied any leadership change and said that the ruling NDA will contest the 2019 elections under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"No question of leadership change. The NDA will contest the 2019 elections under the leadership of Modiji," Shah said, speaking at the 'Surging India' "Republic TV" summit.

"In 2014, the BJP had government in six states, now we have it in 16 states. So tell me who will win?" Shah shot back to a query by Republic TV head Arnab Goswami.

He added that state and central elections are fought on different issues and "the 2019 elections shall be fought on India..."

Shah's statement assumes significance after a prominent Maharashtra farmers' leader, the Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavalamban Mission (VNSSM) Chairman Kishore Tiwari wrote to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Bhaiyyaji Suresh Joshi, demanding immediate replacement of an "arrogant" Modi with the "gentle" Nitin Gadkari if the BJP wants to win the next elections.