Ashish Sinha, Patna University Students' Union (Pusu) former president and son of Arun Kumar Sinha, BJP MLA from Kumhrar Assembly seat, has been chosen as part of a 200-member Indian youth delegation to China from August 20 to 27.

Sinha, who was Pusu president in 2012, has been chosen as a student leader in the delegation. The governments of India and China would bear the entire expenses of the tour.

The Indian government would bear necessary expenses in respect of visa fee and provide return air tickets to the youth delegates from New Delhi to China. The Chinese government would provide free boarding and lodging (arrangements for stay, food and local travel) to all members of the delegation during their stay in China. Sinha said: "It is a proud moment for me to be part of the delegation as I am only person from Patna to be a part of it."

Sources said as Sinha is the lone person from Patna to be part of delegation, his selection is considered to have a political backing as Sinha's father is a BJP MLA. Sources said Sinha's name came up, as he is an active Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Last year too, the Indian youth delegation to China had five ABVP members. The event was held from November 25 to December 2. Most of the ABVP members, who visited China, were students leaders.

In 2012, Ashish become the president of Pusu, the election to which was held after a gap of nearly 28 years. In the Pusu election, apart from Ashish, none from ABVP were elected in the five key member post. While the president post was held by Sinha, the post of vice-president and general secretary was won by an AISF member. Similarly, the post of secretary was won by a JDU student wing leader, while the treasurer's post went to an RJD students' wing leader.

The other factor, which went in favour of Sinha was that apart from being active in student politics, he is a Ranji cricketer playing for the Jharkhand cricket team. Asked about his selection, Sinha said: "A few months back, the ministry of youth affairs had issued an advertisement seeking application for participation of an Indian youth delegation to China. Like other students, I too applied for it and after going through my documents, I was chosen as a part of the delegation."

The first Indian youth delegation visited China from October 8 to 17 in 2006 followed by a return visit of a 100-member delegation from China from November 20 to 29, 2006. The programme involves interaction with youths, visits to cultural sites and introduction to economic activities. The team would visit Beijing, Shanghai and other Chinese cities.