This morning, while his wife bustled over the stove, Verma was holed up with his ``key'' supporters in a room. ``He is chalking his future plans,'' said some while others clarified that he was just ``meeting supporters''.

``It's been like this ever since that announcement was made,'' said a relative, as she tries to organise some cold drinking water for the fresh lot of supporters who have made themselves comfortable in the dining room. They have just missed out on the lassi that had just been served.

The street outside Verma's house, his lawn, drawing room and every other room was crawling with his Jat supporters, puffing away packets of beedi. There were huddled discussions about the BJP move, angry outbursts against the decision and a lot of shoving to get just one glimpse of Sahib Singh.

Standing in wiggling queues, they pushed and tugged at each other's dhotis, all in an effort to get to the room outside the room where Sahib Singh was sitting. ``Only to show our solidarity,'' said a supporter, even as he tried to keep his balance and hold on to his pagdi.

``This move will definitely send wrong signals to the voter,'' predicted a group of old men basking in the sun, right in the middle of the road. ``It indicates that the party itself is not too happy with what the state government has been doing and this a wrong indication,'' they explained further.

For the family, it only meant a disheartened Verma and no time to themselves. ``Everyone is unhappy with the decision,'' said Manisha, Verma's school-going daughter. ``The announcement was totally unexpected. It should not have been this way.'' Her mother nodded in agreement.

Addressing his supporters, Verma still looked upset. Though he went on about how he would respect ``the party decision'', sympathetic supporters all around nearly moved him to tears. An emotionally charged Verma said that he would not ``oppose any party decision''. The rest of his speech was drowned in slogan shouting.

Having made his public appearance, Verma went back into the house, followed by a group of supporters who wrestled their way past the security guards. Those left behind went back to the lawns and sat down for the next round of discussion. They discussed Sahib Singh Verma's ``tow the party line'' concept and most felt that he was being ``soft'' in his stand. ``But he is angry and upset,'' declared a supporter, slurping tea. ``His lips are saying something while his heart is feeling something entirely different''.