New Delhi, Dec 06: The BJP Central leadership will decide today whether party's Delhi unit president Madan Lal Khurana will stay in Lok Sabha or will head the 20-member BJP grouping in the assembly. ''It will be decided by the Central leadership whether Mr Khurana will quit his assembly seat or the Lok Sabha seat,'' party sources told.

Mr Khurana has 15 days from December 01 to quit one post. He can hold both the posts in this period.

Considering that the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled next year, it is unlikely that Mr Khurana will quit as a member of Parliament.

''The party will like to keep him in Parliament, while leaving it to a leader from the Delhi unit to head the grouping in the assembly,'' the sources said.

The BJP had projected Mr Khurana as its chief ministerial prospect in the event of the party coming to power in Delhi. But now that people have given a verdict in favour of the Congress once again, the political future of Mr Khurana appears uncertain.

The sources said with the election of the BJP legislature party, it would be clear who will head the party in the assembly. Presently, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi is the leader of the BJP in the House.

They say it was not certain if Prof Mukhi will be retained for the post. ''There are certain other eligible and suitable candidates to head the party in the assembly. We will decide that at the legislature party meeting.''

In the event of Mr Khurana deciding to retain the Lok Sabha seat, it is unlikely that he will go to the assembly at all, the sources said.
Bureau Report