Govt resigned to losing AIADMK support

8220;They have themselves closed the doors by talking to DMK Chief M Karunanidhi,8221; she said.

Jayalalitha said she would not rule herself out as a prime ministerial candidate. 8220;Who will emerge as the next prime minister will be known only after the discussions with leaders of other parties,8221; she added.

She said that she did not propose to meet Vajpayee in Delhi. While no appointment had been fixed with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, she said that a meeting would be arranged once she reached the Capital.

The modalities for the formation of an alternative Government and the issue of moving a no-confidence motion against the Government would be decided after discussions with leaders of the Congress and other Opposition parties, she said.

Jayalalitha8217;s arrival tonight will set off a series of hectic political developments before Parliament resumes its session on April 15. Coinciding with her visit here, West Bengal Chief Minister and CPM leader Jyoti Basu and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad Yadav are also expected to be in the Capital.

The AIADMK chief is expected to meet them and prominent leaders of other parties during her stay here.

The Congress which has been offered support in the formation of an alternative Government by the Left and other parties constituting the Third Force is watching the emerging political situation with a great deal of interest. It today described Jayalalitha8217;s visit as 8220;significant8221; but declined to give any indication of possible informal parleys between the two parties.

Party spokesman Ajit Jogi said no formal meeting had been scheduled between Sonia Gandhi and Jayalalitha in the next three days. Asked if individual Congress leaders would meet Jayalalitha, he said that he had no information.

Asked why the Congress considered Jayalalitha8217;s visit as significant, he said she was an important partner of the ruling coalition and her stand reflected the inherent contradictions in the coalition.

Meanwhile, the BJP continued its efforts to rope in smaller parties to ensure that its boat is not rocked. It deputed senior leader Madanlal Khurana to persuade Om Prakash Chautala, who leads the four-member Indian National Lok Dal, to support the Vajpayee government. But he met with little success as Chautala firmly rejected the overtures.

Chautala refused to attend the 8220;tea party8221; proposed by Khurana this evening. The two, however, had a telephonic conversation. An embarrassed Khurana told mediapersons: 8220;He Chautala could not meet me since he had to leave for Chandigarh suddenly.8221; They are likely to meet tomorrow.