``Reports to this effect appearing in a section of the Press are not only concocted, but also mischievous,'' party spokesman Digvijay Singh observed, wondering how his name could be dragged into the controversy. ``Some newspapers even went to the extent of saying that these MPs were in touch with Opposition parties.''

But at the same time, Singh admitted that party supporters expected more MPs to be made ministers.

``In a coalition government, every party wants maximum representation,'' he said.

According to him, even before the Government was formed, the Samata Party parliamentary party had authorised George Fernandes to take decisions on behalf of the party. ``The position remains the same now,'' he asserted,'' adding that ``it is the Prime Minister's prerogative to appoint his ministers.''

He blamed the RJD for the publication ofthese reports. ``Ever since the result of the election to the Patna Lok Sabha seat was declared, former chief minister Laloo Yadav has become wary of his party's future,'' Singh alleged, adding, ``The RJD today is a badly divided party, and many of its MLAs are in touch either with us or with our alliance partner, the BJP.''Singh said he favoured the imposition of Article 356 in Bihar, even though there was a broad consensus among the constituents of the BJP-led Government that the Article should not be invoked. ``The manner in which the Constitution has been subverted by the ruling party in the state makes Bihar a fit case for the imposition of President's rule,'' he said.

The Samata Party spokesman claimed that his party would launch a movement to make the people aware of the sorry state of affairs in Bihar.

``We'll raise the pitch to such an extent that the Rabri Devi Government is forced to go,'' Singh said.