Bhopal, Jan 23 : Expressing happiness over the election of Rajnath Singh as the new president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), senior party leader Yashwant Sinha, who had protested against a second presidential term for Nitin Gadkari, said the party will flourish under a new experienced and energetic leadership.

Congratulating Singh for his election as BJP chief for next three years, Sinha said: Rajnathji is a very experienced and energetic leader, he is very eligible to lead the party."

Asked whether the sudden decision taken by Gadkari not to contest for a second term was the result of their protest, Sinha said: "I was not against Gadkari, I had just requested that with corruption charges against him, it would not have been a step in the right direction. And now, we are very happy that the party has taken care of our sentiments."

"I thank Nitinji for taking the voluntarily step and resigning," he added.

Shatrughan Sinha, another BJP leader who had opposed Gadkari candidature for a second term, echoed similar sentiments. He said that an experienced and mature leader like Rajnath Singh would provide very effective leadership to the party in the future.

"Our protest was ideological. It was not a matter of corruption, because it is not only necessary to be honest, but it is also very necessary to look honest," he added.

Both leaders, including veteran lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Jethmalani and his son Mahesh Jethmalani had earlier sought Gadkari''s resignation over alleged charges of corruption related to his Purti Group of companies.

In a day of dramatic developments on Tuesday, which were capped by Gadkari''s late night announcement, Rajnath Singh emerged as the frontrunner in the BJP presidential poll battle.

Gadkari opted out of the election process on grounds that he had to spend time addressing allegations levelled by the income tax department relating to business deals of the Purti group of companies. (ANI)