New Delhi: Senior BJP leader and MLA Jagdish Mukhi on Monday night declined to be the pro-tem Speaker of Delhi Assembly.
"The decision was taken by my party that neither I nor any MLA of the party will be the pro-tem Speaker", Mukhi said after he was appointed to the post by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.
Mukhi said he has conveyed his decision to the Assembly Secretary.
The BJP leader said that after getting a letter from Jung about his appointment as protem Speaker, he consulted his party and was apprised of the party decision.
Mukhi is a former minister for Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation and Higher Education in Delhi government.
Sources said BJP is keen for the post of Speaker and would take part in the event of a contest for it.
The pro-tem speaker administers oath to all newly-elected MLAs.
Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government will seek a vote of confidence on January 3 on the floor of Delhi Assembly.
