Saturday, December 31 2005 11:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: L K Advani today (Dec 31, 2005) stepped down as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President.

Rajnath Singh is the new president of the BJP.

Advani said he had sent his resignation to senior Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, which has been accepted.

"I had announced at the Chennai meeting of the BJP National Executive that I will step down as President. I have done so," Advani said addressing a press conference here.

Advani said there had been consultations within the party after his decision to step down in which Rajnath Singh's name was finalised as the new president.

"I present to you Rajnath Singh, the new BJP President and extend my best wishes to him," Advani said.