New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary board is scheduled to meet Dec 19 to decide on the next president of the party.
According to party sources, the parliamentary board is expected to formally select Maharashtra BJP chief Nitin Gadkari as the new president.

Gadkari’s name has been doing the rounds for the past several months. He enjoys the backing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which has given him an upper edge over Manohar Parrikar, former Goa chief minister, whose name was also doing the rounds.

Gadkari is expected to be declared elected in January-February next year for a three year term. His name will then be ratified by the party national council.

Party leader S.S. Ahluwalia, addressing mediapersons here Thursday, declined to confirm the date of the meeting, but said it would discuss the choice of next president. “I have learnt about the date from TV channels,” he said.