Ruling out, at least for now, the Basu proposal, the CPI(M) leadership is drumming up support for a Congress coalition, despite such an arrangement looking suspect due to the bundle of contradictions between the likely members.

All day today, there were statements emanating from different political quarters, from AIADMK leader Jayalalitha to former Prime Minister I K Gujral, calling on Basu to "assume responsibility", but the CPI(M) refused to nibble the bait.

Asked about the Basu proposal, CPI(M) General Secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet parried the question by saying the party's efforts were concentrated on getting the requisite numbers for a Congress-led coalition.

On being pressed further, party leaders said this would be considered only when all otherpossibilities were exhausted.

Though the party at this juncture appears adamant on not leading a disparate coalition, its dilemma increases if faced with the spectre of the BJP government's resurrection. "Right now we are exploring the possibilities of a Congress-led coalition government", said CPI(M) Politbureau member Prakash Karat.

Basu himself, when asked about the increasing demands for him to head a government, said the CPI(M) Politbureau would be meeting tomorrow to consider the political situation and the emerging position of the party in the current political imbroglio.

Meanwhile, there is also pressure from sections within the CPI(M), especially the party's West Bengal unit that this time round Basu should be given a shot at heading the government. Newspaper reports from Calcutta had hinted that unlike the last time, the West Bengal cadres of the party felt the proposal to name Basu should not be tossed out without serious consideration. But party insiders here said CPI(M) veteran SomnathChatterjee, who the reports had quoted, had been pulled up for speaking without authorisation.

The fundamental difficulty for the CPI(M) is that its party congress last October had given the leadership the mandate to extend issue-based support to the Congress. This was in the context of the Congress being regarded as the lesser evil when compared to the communal forces.

In June 1996, when the demand arose for Basu becoming Prime Minister, the man waiting in the wings was H D Deve Gowda. This time if the CPI(M) does not rise to the challenge, the onus of a return of the BJP or another round of general elections would rest with the party, according to a section of the party.

The threat of the BJP's return has also meant that the opposition to Basu being considered as Prime Minister has softened within the party ranks. There is also the argument that secular forces would be strengthened if Basu took over the reins at the Centre.