He was reacting to recent reports that former chief ministers, Bhajan Lal and O P Chautala had joined hands to solicit the support of some rebels in the ruling Haryana Vikas Party (HVP), to topple the Bansi Lal Government. When asked that some ministers had also been named in the process, the Chief Minister remarked that he had read about the bid only in the newspapers. He was talking to reporters at the Haryana Raj Bhawan, after the swearing in ceremony of the Haryana Lok Pal, Justice Ishwar Prakash Vashisht.

Bansi Lal also denied any intentions to rejoin the Congress and said that Congressmen were creating an impression that he wished reinduction into the party. He was reacting to the recent statement of Meira Kumar, Congress General Secretary . He also dismissed the statement made byHaryana Pradesh Congress Chief, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, that the Congress was prepared for elections in Haryana.

The Chief Minister, who appeared in a candid mood today despite the appearance of the news about the toppling bid, talked to the media at length. He assured of provision of 24-hour power supply in the State by the end of June this year.

He refused to make any comments on the issue of sacking of the Naval Chief Vishnu Bhagwat, stating that defence matters should not be made into public issues. ``Many defence matters are kept secret even from the Parliament,'' he added. Bansi Lal also parried questions about the attacks on the Christians and the Christian committee at Gujarat, stating that the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister had already clarified the position.

While criticising the delays by the previous Governments, he said the Hathni kund barrage would be functional by June next year. Our Government is pressing the Centre to expedite work of the Renuka in Himachal Pradesh andKishau dam in Uttar Pradesh, he added.

Responding to another query, the Chief Minister said that there was no solution in sight to the Sutlej-Yamuna link issue. About the expansion of his Ministry, he stated that the Cabinet would be expanded when he considered it appropriate. When his attention was drawn to the fact that there was one vacancy for a BJP nominee in the Ministry, Bansi Lal said the same would be filled as and when BJP leaders gave him the name of their nominee.

Bansi Lal declined to comment when asked about allegations levelled by former Haryana Vikas Party MP, Om Parkash Jindal against him. Replying to a question about convening the Assembly Session, he said that it would be held later this month.