New Delhi: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) central committee has accepted the resignation of its chief Venkaiah Naidu today (Oct 18, 2004).

Venkaiah Naidu who had earlier in the day met former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee along with several other top BJP leaders had offered to resign in the wake of defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Naidu in an emotional speech today said he is also suffering from personal problems owing to ill-health of his wife now in a hospital in Chennai. However, he said he owns responsibility for the poor showing of BJP in the recently held polls in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, according to sources, BJP national council is to endorse Advani's appointment in a meeting scheduled to be held on Oct 29.