Mahajan has convened a PCC officer-bearers' meeting here on December 11 to analyse the factors responsible for the defeat.

Mahajan's supporters maintain he has nothing to worry about. ``Those who are trying to find faults in Mahajan's planning should do some soul-searching themselves because everyone knows the role they played in the polls,'' a Mahajan supporter said.

Observers, however, say that Baijnath is just an excuse to renew the battle for the CLP leadership. Former Himachal Speaker and senior leader Vidya Stokes, who is known for her proximity to Sonia Gandhi, is the person to be watched, they say. Even Virbhadra Singh's supportersadmit that Stokes' recent visit to Delhi should not to be taken lightly. Stokes denies she is an aspirant for the CLP post.

``We all have faith in the leadership of Virbhadra Singh and there is absolutely no threat to him,'' she maintains.

However, Virbhadra Singh's sudden departure for Delhi two days ago to meet Sonia has only fuelled speculation that he is trying to consolidate his position. When contacted in Delhi, a Virbhadra loyalist MLA said, ``He has come to congratulate Soniaji for the party's victory in Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh polls. ''

Singh's rivals, however, allege that he has been upset over the appointment of the new state Youth Congress president, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The CLP chief was opposed to Sukhu's appointment and had accused him of being associated with Sukh Ram. He had suggested the names of Parmodh Sharma, B. Harsh Vardhan Chauhan and another woman candidate for the post. Virbhadra Singh also charged Sukhu with being ill-tempered, abusive.