Senior BJP leader and MLA Jagdish Mukhi declined to be the pro-tem Speaker of D elhi Assembly on Monday.

"The decision was taken by my party that neither I nor any MLA of the party will be the pro-team Speaker," Mr Mukhi said after he was appointed to the post by L ieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. Mr Mukhi said he has conveyed his decision to the Assembly Secretary. The BJP leader said that after getting a letter from Mr Jung about his appointme nt as pro-tem Speaker, he consulted his party and was apprised of the party deci sion. Mr Mukhi is a former minister for Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation and Hig her Education in Delhi government. Sources said BJP is keen for the post of Speaker and would take part in the even t of a contest for it. The pro-tem speaker administers oath to all newly-elected MLAs. The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government will seek a vote of confidence on January 3 on the floor of Delhi Assembly.