Stepping down as LOP not end of era but a new chapter: Advani

NEW DELHI: BJP leader L K Advani said on Friday his stepping down as the Leader of the Opposition does not mark the "end of an era" in politics but the beginning of a "new chapter" in his political life.

"It is not end of an era. In my life and politics, this is a new chapter," 82-year-old Advani said as he made way for Sushma Swaraj (57) as the Leader of the Opposition in a generational shift in the party's top leadership.

Advani was chosen chairperson of BJP parliamentary party, a post created for him through an amendment of the party's constitution.

Advani, who was given the power to appoint leaders of the party in both the Houses of Parliament, named Swaraj to the post he had held till now, and renominated Arun Jaitley as leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha.

Advani said "there is no political party in India which has set up such a strong base in so few years".

"Even now, we are ruling eight states, out of which we have our own government in six states," he said addressing the BJP Parliamentary party meet after taking over as its new chairman.