Moscow, April 24: In a move to distance himself from fraud tainted United Russia Party, the President-elect Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced his stepping down from party's Chairman post.

The rating popularity sensitive Putin, which struggled to justify the fairness of election in December last year, named the outgoing president Dmitry Medvedev as next Chairman of the URP.

Putin in a statement said, "In line with political practice here, President stands above parties--who is a consolidating figure for all political forces in the country."

"In this regard, after the inauguration in May I deemed it necessary to step down as chairman," said Putin.

Putin, 59, who will sworn in as President on May 7, suggested party leaders to elect Medvedev as part chairman.

However, for Medvedev it would not be easier as his popularity among party members declined following relatively bad performance in December 4 Duma election, in which the party won just 50% of votes, far less than the 64% in last election.

Putin won 63% votes in March 3 presidential election, however there were huge public protest over the fairness of elections.