New Delhi: After being constantly mired in corruption allegations, Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday resigned from the post of BJP president.  Watch: Gadkari quits as BJP chief l Gadkari explains why he resigned

He is apparently upset with allegations on him and does not want to be on the top BJP post until he comes out clean.

According to ABP News sources, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Rajnath Singh is slated to be the next BJP president with top leaders reaching a consensus over his candidature. However, Venkaiah Naidu is also in the race to become the president, sources say.

"Gadkari himself suggested Rajnath Singh's name for next BJP chief," confirmed Arti Mehra.

55-year-old Gadkari is facing charges of dubious funding of his Purti Power and Sugar Limited as well as of not returning excess land alloted to the factory.

"I have committed no wrong or any impropriety either directly or indirectly. Yet the UPA government has been making an effort to spread disinformation about me in order to hurt me and my party. I have always said that I am willing for any independent enquiry. I shall fight these efforts of this government both politically and legally," Gadkari said.

"I do not wish that this should in any way adversely affect the interest of the BJP. I have therefore decided not to seek a second term as the president of the BJP. I am extremely grateful to all my colleagues and the cadres of the BJP who have cooperated with me during my term as a president. I shall continue to serve my party in as a committed worker. I have conveyed my decision to my colleagues," he added.

Reports emerged that LK Advani is not keen on Gadkari being given a second term in view of the alleged wrongdoings in companies linked to Gadkari. It is learnt that the entire Delhi-based central leadership and a large section of the RSS favour Rajnath Singh as the next party President.

Nomination papers will be filed on Wednesday morning as top brass of the BJP were engaged in hectic deliberations on Tuesday evening on deciding the party's national president.

62-year-old Rajnath Singh has been associated with the RSS and it has given the nod to elevate him to the big post.

Among his roles has been a period as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, as a Cabinet minister in the National Democratic Alliance regime and as National president of BJP once. He was previously president of the BJP youth wing and the BJP's unit in his home state.

Earlier during the day,  Gadkari alleged that the Income-Tax department's attempts were calculated, mischievous and politically motivated to drag his name into its surveys of various companies in Mumbai.

Gadkari said that the highly questionable move by the I-T department  was a 'command performance' at the behest of its political masters sitting in New Delhi who have hatched a political conspiracy to tarnish his image.

He also warned the UPA government against indulging in political vendetta against its opponents and said that such cheap gimmicks will not be able to deviate him from fulfilling his commitment to serving the nation.

Watch: Gadkari quits as BJP chief l Gadkari explains why he resigned