Nitin Gadkari to take over as BJP president

Nitin Gadkari to take over as BJP presidentNew Delhi, Dec 19 - Nitin Gadkari, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Maharashtra unit chief, is to arrive in the capital Saturday to formally take over charge from incumbent party president Rajnath Singh.

Gadkari's name as the next president was formally announced at the Parliamentary Party meeting Friday.

"Gadkari will arrive in Delhi at 10.45 a. m. He will be welcomed at the airport by hordes of supporters. He will take over the charge of party president from Rajnath Singh," said a party spokesperson.

Gadkari enjoys the backing of the party's ideological parent organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and his taking over is seen as the strengthening of RSS' hold over the BJP.

His appointment is the second part of the generational change, the first one being the elevation of Sushma Swaraj as the leader of opposition replacing L. K. Advani. (IANS)