New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vasundhra Raje Monday resigned as leader of opposition in the Rajasthan assembly.

Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said a meeting of party legislators from Rajasthan will be convened soon to elect a new leader.

Raje gave her resignation to assembly Speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat.

Naidu, who spoke to Raje Monday morning, said she was 'one of the most respected leaders' of the BJP and had resigned according to decision taken by the party.

He dismissed media reports of the leadership mulling any action against her.

Asked about her role in the party, Naidu said her services will be utilized at an appropriate level. 'The party will utilise her services at an appropriate level,' Naidu told IANS.

He said party president Nitin Gadkari had asked him to speak to Raje.

'The legislative party will meet shortly to elect a new leader,' Naidu said.

Party sources said that Raje had sent her resignation to the party high command after it asked her to step down following the BJP's dismal performance in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and its defeat in the assembly polls. The resignation was not forwarded to the speaker.

The sources said that Raje is likely to be given an assignment at the party's central office.