In an interview to leading business newspaper Kommersant-Daily published today, Yeltsin's deputy chief of staff Oleg Sysuyev said, ``Undoubtedly, Yeltsin has with him a set of names which, if the need be, can replace any ministers. including Yevgeny Primakov.''

Chairing a conference of political and religious leaders on the plans for the 2,000th anniversary of Christianity next year in the Kremlin, Yeltsin publicly rebuked Primakov as newly-appointed first deputy Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin was not seated next to the Prime Minister.

``They are sitting in the wrong way,'' Yeltsin grinned at Primakov, and ordered Stephashin to change the seat next to the Prime Minister.

The rebuke further fueled speculation in Russian media that Yeltsin was planning to fire Primakov, in the run up to the impeachment proceedings, to be taken up by the Duma on May 12.

Stephashin, an oldYeltsin ally, who for now keeps his post of Interior Minister along with the First Deputy Prime Minister, would be in a position to take the government's reins should Yeltsin fire Primakov, newspapers say.

Many observers are predicting a ``dramatic conflict'' between Yeltsin and the Duma, over the impeachment proceedings, which were postponed last month, in the wake of NATO airstrikes against Yugoslavia.

Yeltsin could react to impeachement by provoking a stand off over a new Prime Minister enabling him to dissolve the Duma. Alternatively, he could use ``constitutionally dubious means'' and declare a state of emergency.

``If need be, Stephashin could without fear and reproach break up the Parliament'' writes daily newspaper Izvestia.

Primakov has repeatedly opposed impeachment against Yeltsin, saying it will destablize the political situation in the country.

Earlier, Yeltsin appointed former Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin as his special envoy on Yugoslavia apparently in order to LimitPrimakov's growing influence.

Despite the denial by the two that their relations are restarained, press reports say, Yeltsin is clearly ``uncomfortable'' with Primakov's enhanced role and may fire him or several of his Communist ministers to undermine his support in the left-dominated Duma.

Primakov has repeatedly declared, he doesn't want to participate in the next presidential election, due next year.

Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov slammed Sysuyev and other Kremlin aides for engaging in intrigues to pull down the Primakov government.