While the man himself remained incommunicado, his supporters -- led by his brother Azad Singh -- laid siege to the party headquarters. They gheraoed party national president Kushabhau Thakre, forcing him to state that no change was being contemplated.

Even as rumours of Sahib's resignation did the rounds, busloads of his supporters gathered at the BJP headquarters to express support for the beleaguered leader.

They chanted slogans against Thakre, demanding an explanation from the party leadership about its decision to replace Sahib.

The agitated supporters continued with slogan-shouting till Thakre acceded to their demand and stepped out of his office to talk to them. He was immediately gheraoed. He assured the supporters that the party leaders were contemplating no such move. In fact, he acted so surprised that the mob was convinced that there was no truthin the rumour.

Thakre sped away, ostensibly to meet the Prime Minister. The crowd, now pacified, broke up after some time and the normally bustling party office became very quiet.

After they left, BJP party workers and activists hanging around in the office huddled into small groups discussing the possible fallout. No one was sure of what was happening.

And while gossip-mongers had a field day discussing Sahib's fluctuating political fortunes, his office continued to protest its inability to contact him.

But mediapersons got a hint of the behind-the-scene manoeuvres when a visibly upset Sahib stormed out of the Prime Minister's residence in the afternoon.