``They are all BJP allies. It is a development against the BJP'', Fernandes told reporters, on the front formed by the five groups which are propping up the BJP-led Government at the Centre, in Delhi yesterday.

The BJP Government, he said, had lost the people's support as was evident from the results of the recent assembly polls and, given its internal contradictions, might ``fall at any moment''.

He said the Congress was prepared to face elections as had been made clear by party president Sonia Gandhi.

``If there are elections, we will not shy away from it'', he said, adding the Congress was trying to broaden its base in states where ``it was not in so good a position''.

To a question, Fernandes said the Congress would not attempt to dislodge the Vajpayee Government but if it fell, ``we will discharge our responsibility as the biggest party.''

``We want to regain our old position in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. We are building the party there'', Fernandes said.

Another AICC general secretary Tariq Anwar also said the Congress didn not ``want to destabilise the country'', emphasising that they would not attempt to pull down the Vajpayee Government.

``We are a responsible Opposition party. If they collapse on their own, we will think of what we should do. We have a constitutional duty'', Anwar added.