But several ministers, on condition of anonymity, swore that they had indeed received such a message from the jungle lodge where Patel has been staying for the last few days.

``Some of us were not just surprised but even angry. We checked with our colleagues on phone only to be told that they too had received a similar message,'' said a minister.

At least four ministers were open about the instruction they had received, that all their work, particularly that pertaining to transfers should be completed by Friday, and that no transfer should be kept pending for Saturday, which is an official holiday.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda who was scheduled to arrive on Saturday to attend the wedding of Panchayat Raj Minister M P Prakash's daughter and to hold talks with S R Bommai and Patel to finalise the list of newministers, put off his visit to Tuesday.

Most of his supporters among the legislators and ministers have rushed to Delhi to seek his help in safeguarding their posts and portfolios. Some have gone to seek Cabinet berths.

Meanwhile, in a new development, former minister P C Siddannagouder met Patel on Friday. It is learnt that he has decided to quit the Rashtriya Navanirmana Vedike and has indicated his willingness to return to JD if he is made a minister. But a Lok Shakthi spokesman insisted that Siddannagouder's meeting with Patel was a personal one.