INDIA’S ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership voted unanimously today to elect Amit Shah, who has a murder charge hanging over his head, as party leader.

A close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Shah was junior home minister in Gujarat state when Mr Modi was chief minister.

He spent three months in jail in 2010 on charges of sanctioning the police killing of a small-time criminal and his wife. 

Mr Shah, who denies the accusations, was released on bail and the case is ongoing.

He is seen as the architect of the spectacular BJP general election win in northern India, especially in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP cornered 71 of the 80 parliamentary seats there, ensuring its status as the largest party.

He plans a repeat in the major states of of Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand in forthcoming elections, where the BJP hopes to oust the main opposition Congress party.