In a statement here, HVC leaders P C Oberai Shadi Lal Sharma said Sukh Ram was a pivot of the Himachal Pradesh Government and was not bound by ``dictates'' of BJP.

They expressed resentment at the state government and the Centre for pressurising Sukh Ram to resign from the Prem Kumar Dhumal Ministry.

They urged Sukh Ram to review the party's stand on extending support to government in the state.

Earlier in the Capital New Delhi, Sukh Ram said his decision to resign from his post is ``final'' and he would put in his papers soon.

Talking informally to mediapersons after a meeting with Dhumal at Himachal Bhawan here, Sukh Ram said, ``I am going to submit my resignation soon.''

Sukh Ram, who heads the Himachal Vikas Congress also called on Home Minister L K Advani to explain his position. Sukh Ramwould leave for Shimla tomorrow.

He is understood to have drawn Advani's attention to a statement of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana that he (Khurana) had cautioned BJP about the alliance with Sukh Ram's party.

Sukh Ram, who was not forthcoming as what transpired in his meeting with Dhumal said ``I have complete understanding with the Chief Minister and he is very nice to me.''

Prime Minister Vajpayee last week advised Sukh Ram to step down from his post after President K R Narayanan granted sanction for his prosecution in an alleged ``telecom irregularity'' case relating to awarding of a cable supply contract to Rohtak-based Haryana Telecom Ltd as communications minister in the P V Narasimha Rao government.