Nitin Gadkari has taken over as President of BJP. 52-year-old Gadkari, the youngest to occupy the post, was unanimously appointed as the party chief by the BJP Parliamentary Board in New Delhi yesterday. He succeeds Rajnath Singh, who had completed his tenure. The meeting, attended by senior office bearers of the party, also discussed several organisational issues. An annoucement to this effect was made by Rajnath Singh at a press conference at BJP headquarters in New Delhi. Mr Gadkari, has been President of Maharashtra BJP and minister in the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state ten years back.<br/><br/>Soon after his appointment, Mr Gadkari told media persons that he does not view politics as a career but as an instrument of socio-economic reforms to bring about a change in the lives of the poor and the downtrodden. He said he will carry forward Nationalist approach of the party and due recognition will be given to dedicated workers. Senior leader L.K. Advani said, Mr Gadkari has the support and good wishes of the entire party.<br/><br/>AIR Correspondent reports that the BJP was effecting a generational change in its hierarchy. Sushma Swaraj was appointed as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, while veteran party leader L.K. Advani was made the Chairman of the party's Parliamentary Board on Friday. The Board had amended the party's constitution to create the new post of the Chairman. After elevation of Sushma Swaraj as leader of the opposition, the post of Deputy leader in Lok Sabha has fallen vacant and lobbying for the post has begun in the party. Similarly, after resignation of Jaswant Singh as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, names of several senior party MPs are doing rounds for consideration. <br/><br/>