New Delhi, Jun 19: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Bhagat Singh Koshiyari on Friday, Jun 19 withdrew his resignation from Rajya Sabha in keeping with the directive of the party's central leadership.

Koshiyari had sent his resignation letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari on Wednesday, Jun 17, apparently to build pressure for removal of Chief Minister BC Khanduri.

BJP sources said the central leadership wanted to maintain the status quo under which Khanduri would continue as Chief Minister while Koshiyari would continue as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Khanduri had offered to quit in an apparent bid to push for a leadership change in the BJP-ruled state.

The Koshiyari camp has been demanding resignation of Chief Minister BC Khanduri, but the BJP high command, which is grappling with the situation arising out of dissenting voices from some prominent central leaders, has been in favour of maintaining status quo.

With an atmosphere of political uncertainty prevailing in the state, the opposition Congress has demanded imposition of President's rule saying infighting in the ruling BJP was hampering development process.

ANI