The Hindu : Front Page : Rajnath Singh re-elected BJP chief

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Monday, Nov 27, 2006
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Rajnath Singh re-elected BJP chief

Special Correspondent

Says campaign for Uttar Pradesh elections would be launched on December 24

— Photo: Sandeep Saxena

ANOTHER TERM: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani greeting BJP president Rajnath Singh after his re-election as the party chief in New Delhi on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: Rajnath Singh was on Sunday re-elected Bharatiya Janata Party president for a full term until 2008.

The former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and senior leader L.K. Advani proposed Mr. Singh's candidature. Both lauded his leadership qualities, and wished him a glorious second innings as party chief.

Elected unopposed

Mr. Singh's unchallenged re-election comes ahead of Assembly elections in four States, including in Uttar Pradesh, his home State.

He filed his nomination with returning officer O.P. Kohli at the party headquarters here. Mr. Kohli received 15 other nominations, all in support of Mr. Singh.

"His first innings got over successfully. His second innings will be more glorious. The party's future is bright in his hands. We pledge full support to him," Mr. Vajpayee said.

Mr. Singh, 55, last year took over from Mr. Advani, who was virtually forced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to quit in the wake of the Jinnah controversy.

Jubilation

There was jubilation outside the party headquarters. Mr. Singh said he would adhere to his style of functioning, and claimed that the party was rapidly regaining public trust.

The party would hold a rally in Lucknow on December 24 to launch the election campaign and Mr. Vajpayee would address it.

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