It's the end of an era for the BJP. LK Advani has been appointed Chairman of the BJP Parliamentary Party. This is a new post created for him with the party amending its constitution.

Political analysts describe this as a graceful exit for the veteran leader. Advani is expected to play mentor now to the party's Gen Next, that took over its new role on Friday.

Sushma Swaraj takes over from Advani as the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha. Arun Jaitley is Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

After the official change of guard, Advani said, "I am not retiring from politics. My yatras will continue."

On Saturday, the party will officially announce Nitin Gadkari as its new president. Gadkari, currently head of the Maharashtra BJP, will take over from Rajnath Singh.

Analysts say the changes bear the stamp of the BJP's parent body, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).

The new management of the BJP has to quickly find an end to the party's six-month drama. Since May, when the party suffered a colossal defeat in the general elections, the BJP has been riddled with infighting.

Younger leaders like Jaitely and Swaraj demanded that Advani be replaced. Jaswant Singh, one of the party's most senior members was expelled for writing a pro-Jinnah book in which he criticized Sardar Patel.

In Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje gave the party a long-running migraine by refusing to accept the party president's order to step down as Leader of the Opposition in her home state.

The BJP's infighting is blamed for its defeat in the recent Assembly elections in states, like Maharashtra as well.

In Karnataka, one of the few states where it's in power, the party managed a last-minute rescue in November after the powerful Reddy brothers, both ministers in the state government, revolted against Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa.