Rashtriya Swayayamsewak Sangh (RSS) 'Sar Sangh Chalak' (chief) K S Sudarshan stepped down after nearly nine years at the helm, paving way for general secretary Mohan Bhagwat to succeed him, RSS sources said in Nagpur.

The change of guard in the Sangh Parivar hierarchy came on the second day of the RSS' three-day Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, which is in progress at Reshimbagh Smruti Mandir.

Veteran ideologue Suresh Joshi will be the new 'Sar Karyawaha' (general secretary) of the Sangh Parivar fountainhead, the sources added.