NEW DELHI, 20 October 2004 — The electoral shock in Maharashtra after the defeat in the parliamentary elections has compelled the Bharatiya Janata Party to revamp its own structure, beginning with former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani taking over as the new party president.

Owning “moral responsibility” for the poll debacle in Maharashtra, former President M. Venkaiah Naidu resigned on Monday. 

Advani has been entrusted with the BJP’s presidentship for the fifth time since the formation of the party in 1980. 

Amid a grand reception at the BJP headquarters here, Advani accepted the responsibility yesterday.

When he arrived at the party headquarters along with Naidu and family members, he was welcomed by drumbeats and bursting of crackers by party workers. Advani offered floral tributes at the statue of Jana Sangh founder Deendayal Upadhyay before taking charge from Naidu.

Saying that his primary responsibility was to revitalize the party cadre for the coming elections in several states, the new BJP president said: “As far as the change of leadership in the party is concerned that is over now and I will urge the party men to start thinking about strengthening the party. It will be good for the country also.”

Advani was flanked by outgoing President Naidu and his wife.

“Party workers should think about the future of the party and see how it can be made bright,” Advani said. 

Showering praises on Naidu, Advani said: “Naidu is much younger to me, but I find that I lack some of the qualities he has.”

Describing Naidu as a “very hardworking person,” Advani said that one of his qualities was to call a spade a spade without giving a thought to adverse consequences.

On the “junglecat”— sandalwood smuggler Veerappan having been shot dead by policemen late on Monday night, Advani said that he was happy about it.

He said: “I have congratulated Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and the Special Task Force which accomplished the job.”

Soon after taking charge, Advani convened a meeting of office-bearers, which he said was to make himself aware of the happenings in the party.

Advani will constitute his team after his appointment as party president is endorsed by the National Council on Oct. 29.

Welcoming the change in BJP’s presidentship, RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said: “I am confident that Advaniji would keep the wishes and aspirations of the Hindus in mind while formulating policies and programs of the party and how to lead it to new heights.”

Explaining that the RSS had very cordial relations with BJP even when Naidu was the president, Madhav said: “We had cordial relations with the party even when Venkaiah Naidu was president and hope that the same would continue under the leadership of Advaniji who understands the Sangh Parivar better than others because of his long association with the RSS. At no stage did the parivar criticize Naidu or wanted that he should be replaced. It was the decision of the party and we in the RSS welcome it.”