Amit Shah continues as BJP President

New Delhi: Amit Shah, without any opposition, continued to be the President of BJP after being re-elected on Sunday morning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Amit Shah's election for the BJP President saying "the party will scale newer heights under his leadership".

Amit Shah's term ended yesterday and he was re-elected unopposed to the party's top post. Party sources said Mr Shah's re-election was a mere formality.

51-year-old Mr Shah, seen as a close confidante of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took charge as the BJP President in May 2014, midway during the tenure of his predecessor Rajnath Singh who joined the government as Home Minister.

During Mr Shah's term as BJP President, the BJP came to power in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir, but also suffered defeats in Delhi and Bihar assembly elections, triggering some rumblings in the party.

"Congratulations to Amit Shah on being elected BJP president," Modi tweeted. "I am confident the party will scale newer heights under his leadership.

"Amit Bhai combines grassroots-level work and rich organizational experience which will benefit the party immensely," Modi added.

Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, also congratulated BJP president Amit Shah on his re-election and said he was sure the party will reach "newer heights of success" under him.

"Heartiest congratulations to Amit Shah on his re-election as the BJP national president," the former Bharatiya Janata Party President tweeted.

"He has been an extremely successful party president," he said of Amit Shah.

"I am confident that the BJP will continue its forward march under Amit Shah's stewardship and reach to newer heights of success and glory," the home minister said.

PM Modi is hosting a dinner for Mr Shah and his team, including vice-presidents, general secretaries and secretaries, tonight.

(IANS)