Lucknow, April 11 (IANS): Newly appointed president of Uttar Pradesh BJP Keshav Maurya, who arrived here on Monday to a grand welcome by supporters and party workers, said the party would win 265 seats in the 404-member state assembly polls next year.

He was mobbed by enthusiastic party workers at the Charbagh railway station after reaching here on the Shatabdi Express. 

Thanking party workers for their support, Maurya exuded confidence that the next government in the state would be of the BJP. "We will win 265 seats in the 2017 state polls."

Among others welcoming him at the railway station was former state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Laxmikant Bajpayi. 

Workers danced to Bollywood tunes and patriotic songs as the new party president emerged from the station and began his drive to the party office on Vidhan Sabha Marg.

Congressmen, however, protested Maurya's arrival, accusing him of being the extremist face of the BJP. 

Congress leaders said Maurya has been sent to the state by the BJP's national leadership to divide the state and polarise voters.

BJP spokesman Manoj Mishra said on his way to Lucknow, Maurya was also accorded a grand welcome in Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Tundla, Etawah and Kanpur.