Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yashwant Sinha's remarks suggesting that Leader of Opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani is not automatically the prime ministerial candidate created a controversy on Friday, but the party said the issue will be decided at the time of elections.

Sinha, who had been virtually sidelined in the party when Advani was its president, cited Congress chief Sonia Gandhi [Images] as an example, saying she too did not become prime minister although she was the leader of opposition during the National Democratic Alliance rule.

Asked whether it meant that Advani should not be considered PM-in-waiting, he said, "No, this is not what I am saying. Whenever a decision is taken on the issue within the party and the NDA, you will be told."

Sinha told a news channel that BJP was not a one-book or one-leader party and the leadership will take a collective decision on prime ministership at the appropriate time.

At the party briefing, senior leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra was asked who would be projected for prime ministership in the wake of Sinha's remarks.

"Both Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani are our top leaders. But the BJP's parliamentary board will decide this (the party's prime ministerial candidate)," he said.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said, "You should understand the style of functioning of our party. Atalji is our tallest leader. Advaniji is also our leader. Rajnath Singh is our party president. That is why Atalji and Advaniji will jointly decide on the issue. As soon as elections are announced, Atalji will make the announcement (of the party's nominee)."