New Delhi: Nitin Gadkari was today elected unopposed as BJP President for a three-year term in the organizational polls held today.

The announcement was made by Mr Thawar Chand Gehlot, BJP General Secretary and Returning officer for the elections to president's post.

He said a total of 19 nominations from 13 states and BJP Parliamentary Party were received, all in favour of Mr Gadkari.

Since Mr Gadkari was the lone candidate filing nomination papers, Mr Gehlot declared him the winner.

Mr Gadkari (53), was nominated to the party post by the BJP Parliamentary Board in December last to succeed Mr Rajnath Singh.

The elections were delayed so far because 50 per cent of the elections in the states would have to be completed for the party to hold the presidential polls at the national level.

His election will be ratified at the National Executive and National Council convened at Indore, Madhya Pradesh later this month.

With this, the process of taking over of the party reigns by the gen next leaders has taken a concrete shape although BJP Parliamentary Party Chairman L K Advani technically is the head of the Parliamentary Party with his newly created post.

The post of Leader of Opposition, a constituionally recognised post carrying a Cabinet rank, has gone to Sushma Swaraj while Mr Arun Jaitley has taken over the post in the Rajya Sabha. This post too entails perks of a Cabinet rank.