``I am 77 now and my health does not permit shouldering the responsibilities,'' the BJP chief, who is undergoing treatment for swelling in legs and arms, told newspersons at BJP headquarters here.

``This does not mean I will take political sanyas. I shall continue as the party chief till the end of present term expiring sometime next year and later continue to serve the party as an ordinary worker,'' he said.

Thakre also hinted at changes in the organisational set-up and said vacancies created by the party functionaries, who joined the Union cabinet would be filled after the current session of parliament.