``It is the prerogative of the legislature to change its leader any time it wants. The legislature has its own sphere of activity and a change in leadership is certainly within its domain,'' Nirvachan Sadan sources told The Indian Express.

But some political leaders have objected to Sushma Swaraj taking over from Sahib Singh and even sought President K R Narayanan's intervention in the matter.

Senior Congresman and MP Vyalar Ravi dashed off a letter to Narayanan saying that the BJP's decision to change the Delhi Chief Minister was ``unethical and unconstitutional.'' According to him, Sahib Singh had to continue as caretaker Chief Minister till the elections. Opposition parties generally see in the BJP's pre-poll move ``an admission ofdefeat'' even before the elections. Congress spokesman Girija Vyas felt that the change in Delhi was indicative of the deep divide within the BJP. Delhi Pradesh Congress committee chief Sheila Dikshit, who is being projected by her party as the chief ministerial candidate, said the development showed the ``feeling of despair'' within the BJP.