BJP dumps Nitin Gadkari, gives Rajnath Singh his job

Many senior party leaders, such as Yashwant Sinha, were against the re-election of Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari today resigned as the BJP president and Rajnath Singh has been made the party chief, news reports said.

Many senior party leaders had come out in the open against Gadkari after his name surfaced in Purti scam a few months ago. They had sought Gadkari's removal as the party chief.

Earlier in the day, BJP leader and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha even indicated that he might contest against Gadkari, who was seeking a second term as BJP president, party sources said.

Sinha had targetted Gadkari last year after corruption charges surfaced against the latter's company, Purti Group, and suggested he should step down as the party president.

"He (Sinha) collected a nomination form and a copy of the voters' list," BJP general secretary and election in charge Thawarchand Gehlot told reporters.