"Both my government and party are stable. There is no crisis. But I want a strong Cabinet and an undivided government. And so the process is on to bring them back," he said.

Asked if he had been forced to talk to the dissidents who had challenged his leadership only for the sake of arithmetic, Mahanta said, "This is nothing new. It is the usual practice in politics. But they will have to realise their mistake and stay united." Of the 126 MLAs in the Assembly, Mahanta has the assured backing of 53 AGP MLAs (of 63) and four Left MLAs.

The chief minister refused to comment on whether all those who had resigned from the Cabinet and charged him with corrupt practices would be welcome, including the minister who had beensacked. "The process has just begun. Wait and see what happens," he said.

Dismissing allegations levelled against him by the dissidents, Mahanta said, "The corruption charges have to be proved. This propaganda is not correct."Mahanta also refused to elaborate on whether the return of the dissidents would be conditional or not. "I cannot run a government with a divided Cabinet. Though I have nothing to gain or lose, I am unable to deliver 100 per cent to the people with these problems. I want unity."

Mahanta said the rebellion against him was organised by the NDFB and BLTF "because I have taken strong measures against the militants and they want to destabilise my government."

Mahanta said through these two weeks of three resignations and one sacking, there was never ever the question of him stepping down. "There has to be a democratic process. If they have a majority I will step down. There was also no question of proving my strength in the legislature party meeting. I just did that in March. I don'twant to make a habit of this."