After completing a four-year term as BJP president, Rajnath Singh hands over the reins to Nitin Gadkari
After completing a four-year term as BJP president, Rajnath Singh hands over the reins to Nitin Gadkari
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh resigned from his post here on Saturday, paving the way for Nitin Gadkari, who was heading BJP's Maharashtra unit.
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Sushma Swaraj congratulates Nitin Gadkari Pic/Rajeev Tyagi |
Singh, whose four-year term ended on Saturday, placed his papers before the BJP parliamentary board.
Hailing from Nagpur, Gadkari, a follower of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), held the revenue portfolio during Shiv Sena-BJP rule in Maharashtra.
Though Gadkari's appointment seems to be made on the directions of the RSS, according to party sources Advani too favoured Gadkari's name.
Addressing the media, outgoing president Rajnath Singh said he handled the position as a challenge. "After my appointment as the BJP president in December 2005, till date I handled this position as a challenge and with blessings and guidance of Advaniji and Atalji."
Singh also said the party suffered a lot after the untimely death of Pramod Mahajan and the effect increased after former PM Vajpayee's bad health condition.
Formally announcing Gadkari's name for the party's top job, Singh described him as a, "Good, able and creative party worker."
Gadkari, who will formally ascend the post on December 24, said,"I request all the party leaders and office bearers to extend their guidance and co-operation in running the party, and I also seek blessings and guidance from Advaniji."
Speaking on the occasion, Advani who has no plans to quit politics, said that the NDA government took the page of massive construction of road network from Gadkari.
Gadkari was the man behind the construction of the Pune-Mumbai eight-lane express highway.
