BJP's leadership change not at the behest of RSS, claims Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Dec 19 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajnath Singh said on Friday (December 18) that no consultations were held with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) over the change made in party's top leadership.

Earlier on Friday, senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani stepped down from his post as the leader of opposition in Parliament making way for 57-year-old Sushma Swaraj to be elected to the post.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley has already been elected as the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

This could be considered as a big generation shift in the BJP that is all determined to plan its strategies for the future. The BJP had suffered a debacle in the last general elections.

"I want to state very categorically that there were no consultations with the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). The decision has been taken in the meeting that I had convened. Of course, definitely, this is the internal decision of the party," Rajnath Singh told a news conference in New Delhi.

82-year old Advani was elected as the Chairman of BJP Parliamentary Party, a new post created by amending the parliamentary party constitution.

Earlier, Sushma Swaraj was the deputy leader of the BJP in the Lok Sabha.

Celebrations erupted at Sushma Swaraj's residence after her nomination to the top post.

"I accept it with all humility the responsibility which Advani has given to me, and I would try that I come up to his expectations," Swaraj said.

Maharashtra BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, considered a favourite of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, may be appointed as the new BJP President taking over the reigns from Rajnath Singh. (ANI)