Not only Opposition but also liberal media is now describing the situation in the country as ``crisis of system'' similar to the last days of the Gorbachev regime which led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.

``The President is not in best of his moods, due to situation in the country,'' chief Kremlin spokesman Sergei Yastrzhembsky was forced to concede at last Friday's briefing.

While addressing the government meeting to discuss anti-crisis programme of Prime Minister Sergie Kiriyenko on June 23, Yeltsin described the situation in the country as `alarming'. But a few days later in his televised remarks, he suggested Kiriyenko to re-christen his anti-crisis programme to `stabilisation' plan as there was `absolutely nocrisis'.

One of the influential dailies next day printed its lead story with the headline `Russia struck by stabilisation'' marking it the most popular joke in the State Duma, which was urged by Yelstin to clear about two dozen austerity bills proposed by the cabinet without any delay.

``What is the hurry? If the President had proposed an anti-crisis package. We would have reacted promptly, but he says there is a stabilisation'', Duma Speaker Gennady Selenyov responded to Yeltsin's televised statement.

Putting aside the anti-crisis package, the Duma with an overwhelming vote enacted a bill which stipulates the dismissal of the President on medical grounds at the initiative of one of the chambers of the Russian Parliament.

Though, this bill and parallel attempt to impeach Yeltsin have hardly any chance of becoming a reality under the present Constitution, they at least prepare a ground for tackling a repetition of Indonesian scenario in Russia, analysts said.

A new challenge has emerged for Yeltsinfrom an unexpected quarter and virtually he has no means to tackle with it, they noted.

It began on May 27 in Ryazan region with the regional Duma (Legislature) unanimously voting on an appeal urging Yeltsin to resign voluntarily and immediately in the name of supreme interests of Russia and for the sake of preventing the country's complete disintegration.

But the Kremlin pretended not to notice the Ryazan Duma's initiative.Chairman of Ryazan Legislature Vladimir Fedotkin, an ex-officio sitting member of the Upper House, asked his Federation Council colleagues to support the call.

The Ryazan Duma's appeal was supported by the island region in Far East Sakhalin on June 25 which blamed Yeltsin of ruining the country's economy.

The Yaroslavl (east of Moscow) regional legislature chipped in through overwhelming vote on June 30 and expressed support for the State Duma's intention to launch impeachment proceedings against Yeltsin.

On July 2 the regional legislature of Khabarovsk territory bordering Chinapassed a similar resolution urging the Russian President to step down voluntarily.

Members of the Tula (south of Moscow) regional Duma have studied the possibility of backing the Ryazan initiative.

Belgorod legislators are also ready to support demands for Yeltsin's resignation within the next few days, reported Nezavsimaya Gazeta.``Local deputies are conducting consolidated political actions for the first time over the last five years. The process has begun....,'' the daily writes.

Should most russian regions approve an appeal calling on the President to resign, the republics will also join in, analyst believed.

It's pretty hard to predict the consequences of such a political struggle. The Kremlin is now unable to ignore the will of local legislators unlike in 1993 when it abolished local soviets (councils) after the tank bombardment of supreme Soviet (Parliament).

The political elite in Moscow still continues to debate whether the oligarchs controlling 80 per cent of Russia's wealth will dethroneYeltsin or whether the President will manage to cope with them.