``We never demanded her removal. Our single demand is for removal of the Chief Minister and we don't want Lok Sabha elections to be held in the State under his leadership because in that case the party is bound to face a drubbing,'' said Rajesh Pandey, MLC.

He claimed that their campaign for removal of the Chief Minister would continue and expressed hope that the Central leadership would decide in favour of Kalyan's critics. ``Her resignation could be the first step of the package formula worked out by senior party leaders, the last decision of which would be Kalyan's ouster,'' he said.

Kusum, on her part, has also put on a brave front, despite the fact that she had to quit following pressure by Kalyan critics. She held an impressive meeting of her supporters at the office of theState Social Welfare Advisory Board on Thursday.

``I have not resigned following pressure from any quarter but decided to quit because a section of the media and anti-social elements were raking up the issue of my appointment and linking it to my proximity with the person (Kalyan Singh) I respect,'' she said at a press meet, which was the first she called since her nomination to the post on April 6.

Dismissing charges that her elevation to the coveted post, equivalent to the rank of a Minister of State, was a sequel to her proximity to the CM, she said she was given the opportunity for being a committed and sincere party worker. ``The media has blown the issue of my appointment out of proportion and I am quitting only because I do not want the party to have to suffer because of propaganda against me,'' she said.