The July 10 date for dissolution is being talked about since the Election Commission is expected to announce the poll programme on July 15. However, this move could land the alliance in an uncomfortable position if the EC decides to put off Lok Sabha elections in view of the Kargil crisis. In such a scenario, the alliance will not only have to face state polls without the advantage of encashing on the rub-off of the Lok Sabha polls but will also end up not ruling the state for the full term.

A Sena minister echoed this fear: ``In the event the governor recommends President's rule, then the Sena-BJP alliancewill be the biggest loser as we will be without power for more than three months.'' He, however, was hopeful that the Governor would not do so. ``We feel the governor will not take such a step since neither there is a failure of the constitutional machinery in the state nor is there a law order problem which warrants imposition of President's rule,'' the Minister remarked.

Talking about Kargil, the minister said, ``At the moment, it appears that the dispute will be settled since we have reached close to the Line of Control and also owing to pressure from the entire world on Pakistan. However, if there is no improvement then certainly the elections to the Lok Sabha will have to be postponed. Then there will be uncertainty about the state assembly elections too. And with the Assembly dissolved, we will be no where,'' the Minister added.

In fact, Chief Minister Narayan Rane too had expressed similar fears. Though initially he was in favour of holding simultaneous polls, subsequently he changed his opinionfor obvious political reasons.

Shiv Sena's contention was that the elections to the assembly should not be advanced and that the elections should be held on the schedule in March 2000. Rane had endorsed the view that if the elections to the Lok Sabha are postponed, the alliance will be in a piquant situation.

However, for now, the alliance seems to be going ahead with the simultaneous poll plan. ``The decision has been taken after consulting Prime Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. A formal decision on holding simultaneous polls will be taken at the coordination committee meeting on July 8, while the decision to dissolve the assembly will be taken at a special cabinet meeting on July 10,'' a senior BJP Minister revealed. And though he felt that the atmosphere was in favour of the Sena-BJP alliance, it will be a risky decision.