Over the past few days, Laloo is understood to have met senior leaders Abdul Ghafoor, Prabhunath Singh, Haridwar Singh and Shakuni Choudhary -- all Samata MPs from Bihar.

Some of these disgruntled MPs are complaining that they see few prospects of their inclusion in the BJP-led coalition. In fact, Choudhary had expressed his unhappiness during the two-day national executive meeting on April 25 and 26. He had alleged that the party leadership had ignored his caste (Koeri) as well as other backward caste MPs.

``All key positions in the party as well as in the legislative wing of the Samata are being held by Kurmis,'' he had shouted till he was restrained by George Fernandes.

Choudhary told some of his colleagues later that Nitish Kumar was largely responsible for his non-inclusion in the UnionCouncil of ministers. Sources said that while Nitish Kumar and George Fernandes had joined the Union Cabinet when it was formed, Digvijay Singh (Samata MP from Banka) is expected to join in the next round of expansion as Minister of State. This leaves out Vasistha Narain Singh, a well-respected Samata leader.

Besides, both Samata MPs from Uttar Pradesh -- Kalpnath Rai and Harikewal Prasad -- are also said to be sore about their being left out of the Ministry but have avoided meeting Laloo as the RJD is mainly a Bihar-based party.

According to RJD sources, Laloo's position was greatly strengthened by the statement of BJP leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat last week that the Centre was not going to dismiss the Bihar government.This factor is supposed to have greatly helped disgruntled Samata MPs to open a channel of dialogue with him.