Amit Shah proved himself: Modi on new BJP chief

"Amit Bhai started his journey as an ordinary Karyakarta [worker of party] & has repeatedly proven himself through tireless hardwork & determination," tweeted Modi who was present at the announcement ceremony for Shah at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

Modi said "with the blessings of Party elders & selfless efforts of Karyakartas, BJP's mission of creating a strong & developed India continues."

He also thanked former party president Rajnath Singh for his "great leadership, under which the Party scaled new heights of success."

Modi's close aide Amit Shah was announced as the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday.

Union Home Minister and outgoing BJP president Rajnath Singh in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement at the BJP headquarters here.

After the announcements crackers were burst outside the BJP office here while Shah being from Gujarat, there were celebrations in the western state. Celebrations were also reported from Uttar Pradesh, a state he was in charge for the Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP parliamentary board is meeting on Wednesday.

The seat of president of the ruling party fell vacant after Rajnath Singh was appointed the Union Home Minister in Modi's Cabinet.

Senior leaders of BJP's ideological patron Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) earlier held a discussion over the issue.

Shah, who was a general secretary of the BJP, has been accused in fake encounter cases but he rubbished them as false charges orchestrated by Opposition.

In the Lok Sabha polls, Shah was in charge of Uttar Pradesh from where BJP won big time.

Shah would be tested again in the upcoming assembly elections in various states.