Nagpur, Aug 27: India`s Junior Minister for Railways Bangaru Laxman formally took over as president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the party`s National Council meeting that began in Nagpur in Maharashtra on Sunday morning.
Outgoing president Kushabhau Thakre handed over the reins of the party presidentship in the presence of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and a host of national leaders at the two-day meting.
Soon after taking charge, Bangaru Laxman, touched the feet of Thakre, Vajpayee, Union Home Minister L.K. Advani and others on the dais. He was garlanded by all the senior leaders of the party.
Laxman is the first Dalit president of the BJP as the party gears for the next elections trying to woo the Dalits in the northern belt.
Earlier in the morning, he hoisted the party flag at the venue in the presence of the National Executive members.
— UNI
