Interestingly, the request for extending the recess period was sent to the Speaker by the Rashrtiya Loktantrika Morcha leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and not by the Government which is facing a crisis.The explanation given for extending the 3-week recess period by another three days is that because of Baisakhi and B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary most of his MPs and allies would be in the constituencies on April 13 and 14 respectively, he pleaded. Therefore, the session be held on April 15 instead of April 12.

A Lok Sabha secretariat release, however, did not mention the reason for the cancellation of the sittings. The House will sit on Saturday, April 17, for transaction of essential items of Government business, the release added. It also did not indicate ifthe session has been postponed at the request of Yadav.

Political observers say that though the AIADMK leader Jayalalitha is slated to meet the President on April 11, she may hand over withdrawal of support letter in the next couple of days if the matter is not resolved. In that case, the session would have to be advanced.

Technically, the parliament is in session and meetings of standing committees are discussing grants for demands relating to their ministries. Therefore, the session can be called at one-day's notice. There are many in the Congress and the Third Front who feel that that the BJP should not be given more time to indulge in horse-trading and session should be held at an early date if AIADMK withdraws support.