BJP Chief Amit Shah Announces New Team, Yeddyurappa Made Vice President

New Delhi: Amit Shah's new BJP team is mostly under 50 years of age and has on it the rehabilitated BS Yeddyurappa and Ram Madhav, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's spokesperson. The most notable omission is Varun Gandhi. (Amit Shah Asks BJP Leaders to Make Winning a Habit)

Mr Yeddyurappa is one of 11 vice-presidents that Mr Shah has appointed and at 71, somewhat skews the average age of what the BJP has described as "a new, young team." The party's JP Nadda said, "60 per cent of the new office-bearers are under 50." Very few are over 60 years of age. (Also Read: Amit Shah Begins Knitting Strategy for State Polls)

But Varun Gandhi, 34, has lost the post of General Secretary that he was handed last year. BJP leaders said this was in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy that only one person from a family can hold a post. Varun's mother Maneka Gandhi is a minister at the Centre. (No Place for Varun Gandhi, 34, on Amit Shah's Young New Team)

But sources say some of Mr Gandhi's public comments have not gone down well with the party leadership.

Mr Shah has retained several officeholders and replaced those who are now ministers. The key inclusion is that of Ram Madhav, who was recently deputed to the BJP by the RSS. He is likely to be given charge of coordination between the BJP and the government it leads, in a move that signals that the BJP's ideological mentor is asserting its authority to ensure that the party and government stay in line with its ideology. (Also Read: Difference Between PMs Modi and Vajpayee, as Explained by Amit Shah)

Amit Shah, 51, took over as BJP chief last month when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh stepped down in deference to a party rule that no member must hold dual positions. Mr Shah is Mr Modi's closest aide and his appointment signaled Mr Modi's complete control over the party after the spectacular victory he scripted for it in the national elections this year. (Amit Shah 'Man of The Match', Says PM Modi)

So does Mr Yeddyurappa's appointment today; only two years ago he had quit the BJP after the party forced him to resign as Karnataka chief minister over corruption charges. He rejoined the party last year after Narendra Modi took charge of the BJP's campaign for the general election. ('In Every State, BJP Should be a Force to Reckon With': Amit Shah)

He reportedly wanted to be a minister but, sources said, Mr Modi shot that down to avoid the Opposition's barbs over the corruption charges that Mr Yeddyurappa faces.