The issue, which had figured in the meeting of PCC executive two days back, has created fresh confusion among the party MLAs and few even doubt the practicability of such a move in a small state like Himachal Pradesh. Even PCC general secretary Asha Kumari admits that there was no ban on MLAs meeting Chief Minister with regard to works relating to their constituencies. ``What AICC general secretary has advised was that MLAs must keep CLP leader informed about their meetings,'' she says.

Former chief minister Ram Lal Thakur, however, recalls that Dhawan neither issued any directive nor there was any formal decision. Thakur told newsmen in an formal chat today that Dhawan indeed had assured PCC to raise the issue with the Congress Working Committee (CWC) so that a uniform policy for other states could also be framed. ``Personally, I feel if MLAs have to meet the Chief Minister to discuss problems relating to his constituency, there should be no bar,'' he said.

Veteran Congress leader, who is also sitting MLA from Jubbal-Kotkhai, claimed that reports in a section of press had tried to create an impression that Dhawan had issued a directive debarring MLAs from attending public functions with Chief Minister or meeting him. ``There was no such thing,'' he clarified.

Former Chief Minister ruled out the possibility of defection from the Congress as had earlier been claimed by Dhumal. He said: ``The party is completely united and such a move of BJP to create confusion among Congressmen will not succeed''.

Thakur confirmed that Dhawan had declined to touch the issue of change of leadership in CLP. In fact, when a few members gave an impression as if high command was undermining the status of CLP leader (Virbhadra Singh), Dhawan had intervened at once saying that this issue was not at all on his agenda. Dhawan is reported to have even snubbed CLP members raising a non-issue.

Sources say the issue of MLAs' `secret' meetings with Chief Minister was raised in the context of Mahajan-Bali feud over the leakage of the letter. The AICC general secretary himself did not find any reason to debar MLAs from meeting CM or attending government functions. He advised them to ensure that CLP leader remained informed about such a meeting or presence of MLAs in government functions.

However, the PCC general secretary says, Dhawan did counsel MLAs not to accompany Chief Minister on the tours. However, until AICC comes out with some guidelines the confusion would continue to prevail.

Asked to comment on Sat Mahajan's plan to topple Dhumal government, former chief minister said Mahajan must have some strategy in his mind to achieve the goal and said MLAs or partymen have no right to question Mahajan on this. ``Why should PCC president disclose such a plan to every partymen,'' he questioned''.