Dehra Dun (PTI): BJP central leaders are expected to arrive here shortly on a fire fighting mission to defuse crisis following a demand by dissidents to remove Chief Minister B C Khanduri.

The senior party leaders will hold talks with Khanduri, who finds himself on the sticky wicket with majority of the ruling BJP MLAs seeking his removal.

The team will also hold talks with the rival camp headed by former Chief Minister B S Koshiyari.

While the party has ruled out removal of Khanduri, it has said grievances of the disgruntled MLAs would be addressed.

The sources said the key demands of the dissident MLAs include the removal of the CM's principal secretary Prabhat Kumar Sarangi, ministerial berths to MLAs and some key portfolios.

They said Koshiyari, who is leading the campaign to oust Khanduri, may be placated with the offer of deputy chief ministership. Koshiyari had, however, refused a similar offer immediately after Khanduri became Chief Minister in March 2007.

Meanwhile, Harak Singh Rawat, leader of the opposition in the state assembly, has offered to support Koshiyari to form a new government in case he quit BJP along with his supporters.