Auraiya (Uttar Pradesh), Jul 5 (IANS): A local leader of Uttar Pradesh's ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was shot dead here by unidentified assailants, triggering protests by partymen in various areas, police said Tuesday.

Virendra Singh was killed Monday near his house in Ayana locality by two-three motorcycle-borne assailants.

"We are yet to identify the miscreants. Political rivalry could be the reason behind the killing," police inspector Alma Ahirwar told reporters Tuesday in Auraiya, 200 km from Lucknow.

According to police, a member of BSP's district unit, Singh was also an in-charge of the party's local unit in Auraiya.

"We have today (Tuesday) detained a man for his alleged connection in the murder. Investigations are on," added Ahirwar, who refused to comment further on the matter.

Meanwhile, a large of Singh's supporters Tuesday demonstrated against his killing, demanding arrest of the culprits at the earliest.