She constituted a 4-member team, being termed in party circles as her war council, to ensure that the battle is taken to a logical conclusion during the second phase of Parliament session beginning April 15. The team would ensure proper coordination not only within the parliamentary party but also with the like-minded parties while going in for the kill.

Bayonet by `political earthquake' arising out of Sonia-Jaya tea-party and slanging match between the BJP and the AIADMK for the past couple of days, the Congress chief has conveyed to the war council and the core group to go in for the "kill".

Leaders of the Opposition in Parliament, Sharad Pawar and Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee and P Shiv Shanker are themembers of the group. Following Sonia's directions, Pawar postponed his scheduled programme to Mumbai today and held consultations with his two colleagues. Shiv Shanker was not town today. After meeting Sonia tonight, Pawar is scheduled to go to Mumbai tomorrow morning.

When contacted on phone, Pawar down-played activities in his party saying, "Nothing exciting is happening. There is neither a council nor a war. We are talking to each other after watching the fun."

In reply to another question, Pawar said, "It will be too early to say what Jayalalitha finally does. The BJP leaders have withdrawn their statements. Now it is for Jayalalitha to react. I am told she is softening. But frankly, I won't know."

A core group comprising of P J Kurien, Kamal Nath, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Praful Patel and others would assist the "war council" in its efforts to launch the final onslaught on the BJP government. Former Union home secretary R D Pradhan is among those who is interacting with Sonia on policy issues.

Reports,though yet unconfirmed, suggest that Jayalalitha spoke to some of the Congress leaders on phone, including Sonia. Those close to 10 Janpath said that Sonia is monitoring developing political situation and decided to constitute the 4-member body after finding situation irretrievable.

There are indications, however, that the government may finally agree to one of the major demands of Jayalalitha and offer to constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Bhagwat issue. It has already disassociated itself with the controversial statement issued by Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Kumaramangalam.

Though Jayalalitha has asked for reinstatement of Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat or removal of George Fernandes from the Defence Ministry, it is felt by the Congress that conceding JPC to Jayalalitha may give temporary reprieve to the government at least in April.

Kamal Nath commented sarcastically today. "The BJP's bravado of retaining the government without Jayalalitha has turned out to be a complete hollow," hesaid. But he declined to say anything further on the Congress's strategy.

But it is clear that the Congress would insist on moving a motion on the Bhagwat issue under Rule 184 in the Lok Sabha and Rule 170 in the Rajya Sabha requiring voting. This would ensure that AIADMK votes with the Congress-Third Front on the issue.

It has also been informally decided among the senior party leaders that Bhagwat issue be brought in the Rajya Sabha first and that too under Rule 170. Kapil Sibal (Cong) would initiate the debate on behalf of the Opposition on the issue and would be a real match for George Fernandes.

Since the government is not bound by the resolution to constitute the JPC in the Rajya Sabha, a view is emerging that let the debate be held under Rule 170. The Opposition parties are planning to bring a similar resolution in the Lok Sabha under Rule 184 only after the same is adopted in the Rajya Sabha.

It is felt that the Prime Minister has succeeded in defusing the crisis only until April 15 andensured that Jayalalitha does not hand-over the letter to the President withdrawing support to his government immediately. He may take a few steps to avert a crisis during the intervening period.

This is being done to ensure the passage of the Finance Bill. The Congress has also indicated that the Bill should be passed first and political battle can be fought thereafter. The Congress leaders are of the firm view that the BJP would neither be able to retain its allies nor break any of the Congress-Third Front allies after the passage of the Finance Bill.

Om Prakash Chautala has already deserted the BJP and Jayalalitha would call off the "BJP's bluff" at an appropriate time.