BJP President Rajnath Singh today appeared defensive on appointment of Narendra Modi's close confidant Amit Shah as general secretary incharge of Uttar Pradesh, saying giving him the responsibility was "not a crime" and it was not done under any pressure.

"He (Shah) is a general secretary of the party and has been a minister in a highly successful state. I think making him incharge is not a crime," Singh told reporters.

Shah was the Minister of State for Home in Gujarat. He has faced allegations of involvement in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case.

Singh denied that there was pressure from Gujarat Chief Minister Modi to appoint Shah as incharge of UP.

"Modi has not recommended anybody," Singh said.