Moscow: Russia's President-elect Dmitry Medvedev today declined an offer to join the ruling party, saying it would not be appropriate for him to be a member of any political group as the incoming head of the state.

"The leadership of the United Russia has invited me to join the party. I highly value this proposal and I thank all those who made it. United Russia is undoubtedly the party ideologically very close to me," he told delegates at the IX Congress of the party.

"But so far I consider it premature to participate directly in its activities. I think after I have been elected the head of State, it would be correct not to be a member of any party," he said.

Medvedev, who had fought the March presidential polls on the ruling party ticket, said: "Certainly United Russia is a party of my like-minded fellows, but I believe my membership in the party premature."

"I believe that after my election to the presidential post it would be more correct to remain a non-partisan."

Source : PTI