The RJD, however, maintains that the Congress was bitterly divided on the issue and claimed the ties were `intact'.

State Congress president Sadanand Singh told PTI that a formal decision on snapping of ties and withdrawal of support to the Rabri Devi Government would be taken by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

The PCC has already taken the initiative and a delegation of senior Congressmen, led by former chief minister S N Sinha, is likely to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi next week to apprise her of the sentiments of partymen, he said.

The State leaders would also press for snapping ties with the one-and-a-half-year-long alliance with the RJD, during the December 18 AICC session in Delhi, Singh said.

However,the RJD promptly shot back, claiming the alliance was in place and asserted that a majority of Congressmen in Bihar as also the party's national leadership favoured their continuation.

State RJD secretary-general Ramkripal Yadav told reporters that the alliance was under no threat as the Congress high command was intent upon carrying on with it.

The BPCC executive committee had, on December 7, recommended breaking of ties with the RJD and withdrawing support to its government.

Singh said the Congress would now play the role of a constructive Opposition in the Assembly and even vote against government bills it perceived as discriminatory and against public interest.

Contending that the alliance with the RJD had caused colossal damage to the Congress, Singh, who seemed to have been buoyed by the success of the party in the recent Assembly elections in three states, said, ``We do not need anyone's crutches in Bihar with Sonia Gandhi taking command.''

Reacting sharply to Singh's contention, the RJDsecretary-general said it was not the RJD, but the Congress which had gained from the alliance.