The decision to call the meeting was taken yesterday, prompted by reports that Sonia had rescheduled her Kerala tour and was toying with the idea of attending Swamy's reception for Jayalalitha. The political implications of a possible Sonia-Jaya encounter in these times of uncertain alliances was not lost on the Government and its managers quickly swung into action to negate the fallout.

The meeting, fixed for March 27, has no agenda except to demonstrate the solidarity of the ruling coalition. ``After all, a tea party is a social occasion. A coordination committee meeting is a political statement,'' said a Vajpayee aide, explaining the sudden decision.

He said the notice of the meeting had been sent to Jayalalitha andshe had agreed to attend. What he did not say was that by making the meeting coincide with her trip, the Government for once has managed to stave off the cat-and-mouse games the AIADMK leader relishes playing with the BJP.

At the same time, the tug-of-war over her only underlines the power she wields in the present fractured Lok Sabha. Jayalalitha could not have hoped for a better reception in Delhi as she embarks on another profile-building exercise.

The coordination committee meeting will be followed by a reception hosted by BJP MP Vijay Goel who has invited everybody who is anybody in the ruling alliance. However, according to AIADMK sources, Jayalalitha has so far not indicated whether she will attend or not.

With the Congress stepping up its assault on the Vajpayee Government in the first half of the budget session, Jayalalitha's sojourn in Delhi is turning out to be a barometer of the political mood in the Capital. On one side is an aggressive Opposition, prodded by Swamy who has been lobbyingfuriously in the Capital for the past several weeks. On the other side is an equally aggressive Prime Minister who through his recent vitriolic attacks on the Congress has made it clear that he intends to fight every inch of the way to keep his Government afloat.

Although Vajpayee yesterday ruled out a Cabinet expansion in the near future, BJP circles feel that pressure to induct more ministers may mount when all the allies gather in the Capital over the weekend for the coordination committee meeting. The decision on an expansion ultimately depends on the coalition partners.

Cong denies move