New Delhi: The process of election of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president was today (Jan 23, 2004) set in motion with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and 18 others proposing the name of incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu for a three-year term from 2004-2007.

Naidu's name was presented to the returning officer O P Kohli by Vajpayee at the party office in the presence of a large number of ministers and party leaders in the glare of cameras.

Naidu who took over from K Jana Krishnamurthy following the latter's induction into the Union Cabinet only to be dropped subsequently, has been holding the post on ad-hoc basis.

The election process was set in motion on January 20 having been postponed since organisational elections in 50 per cent of State units had not been completed as also the four Assembly elections were held in December.

The nominations end on January 26 at 16:00 hrs (IST) with scrutiny taking place the next day and withdrawal slated for January 28.

The formal election would be held on February 6 during the party's National Council to be attended by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his deputy L K Advani and other BJP leaders.

The Electoral College comprises of the members of the National Council and the State Council.

The election schedule was finalised at the National Executive in Hyderabad held on January 11 and 12.