New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitin Gadkari was elected unopposed as the party's national president for a term of three years here Tuesday.

He was announced winner by the party's general secretary Thawarchand Gehlot after the organisational elections held here Tuesday.

'A total of 18 nominations were received from 18 states - all in favour of Gadkari. He had filed the nomination papers in December,' said a party functionary.

The 53-year-old leader succeeds Rajnath Singh. His election will be ratified at BJP's national executive meeting at Indore later this month.

Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh and M. Venkaiah Naidu were also present on the occasion.