At the same time, interlocutors were feverishly at work in Chennai to try and retrieve a fast-deteriorating situation. Government sources admitted today that channels of communication were open with Jayalalitha but maintained that any compromise would only be on Prime Minister Vajpayee's terms.

The Government's belligerent mood was evident from the outcome of today's Cabinet meeting which decided to put the onus for the current crisis on the AIADMK leader. Spokesman Pramod Mahajan said the Government's stand was very clear and it was up to Jayalalitha to make the next move.

Later at night, after Jayalalitha announced the withdrawal of her ministers from the Union Council, BJP spokesman J P Mathur said the party was undeterred as ultimately it would emerge stronger than ever whetherthe Government ``stays or goes''.

As the Government tottered on the edge of a precipice, a two-pronged strategy for survival seemed to be emerging. On the one hand, the BJP tried to tackle Jayalalitha with a combination of bluster and backroom negotiations through well wishers. On the other hand, it probed the chinks in the opposition armour by reviving contacts with parties like the DMK, BSP and Om Prakash Chautala's INLD which do not relish the prospect of a Congress-led alternative government headed by Sonia Gandhi.

The situation, however, remains bewilderingly fluid. What has added to the confusion is the cautious approach of the Congress which does not want to be seen egging on the war in the BJP-led alliance. ``The question of a no-trust motion is between the BJP and its partner,'' said Congress leader Kamalnath.

In contrast to the flurry of activity over the past several weeks, the Congress camp has been mysteriously quiet for two days and seems to have left it to Jayalalitha, the Left Partiesand Deve Gowda to complete the toppling operation.

It is difficult to say whether this is a strategic retreat by the Congress or whether it has indeed developed cold feet as the prospect of the Vajpayee Government's exit becomes a reality. Certainly, there is no clarity in the Congress about who should head an alternative government if the ruling coalition collapses.

Sonia Gandhi is distinctly reluctant to head an interim government herself, realising that this would not only discredit her but hand the BJP a clear election issue swadeshi versus ``foreigner''. At the same time, given her bitter experience with proxy rule through Narasimha Rao and Sitaram Kesri, she may not want to hand over the reins of power to a Manmohan Singh or a Shiv Shankar for fear they may run away with the Govt and party.