The state unit leaders also favour formation of a new party in case central leaders fail to endorse their views. Earlier scepticism that their president, Sharad Yadav, may create some problems, is giving way to relief and these leaders feel that Sharad may prefer not to go against the Paswan line.

If needed, the central leaders should go against the wishes of senior leaders like I.K. Gujral, H.D. Deve Gowda and others. In fact, the state unit has approached the central leadership not tointerfere in Bihar and stick to their early decision to allow the state units to find their own allies.

The PAC meeting, say the Bihar leaders, will decide the future of the party. If the central leaders fail to honour the sentiment of Bihar and Karnataka, a split is imminent, they say. There is a feeling in the state unit that with Sharad reconciling to going along with Paswan, the central leaders will succeed in foiling any move to adopt a pro-BJP stance.

In case Sharad, who patched up with Paswan a couple of days back, sticks to his stand of opposing the BJP, the leaders have urged Paswan to break the truce and form a new party.

However, Ram Jeewan Singh strongly feels that Sharad would not join hands with the RJD ``for merely a Lok Sabha seat''. He cited Sharad's stand and said, ``He is on record as having said that under no circumstances would he join hands with Laloo Yadav.''

However, Paswan aides say he will form his new party ``within a couple of days''. To avoid being described as a``betrayer'', he preferred to wait for the PAC meeting. Otherwise, the ground work for the party launch is complete.

They also said Sharad may not go along with Paswan. He has his own compulsions and might prefer to go along with Gujral and Gowda.

These aides strongly feel that holding the PAC meeting was eyewash. The mood of Paswan supporters is quite upbeat and they are ready to go for a kill this time. They feel that this is the right opportunity to project Paswan as the next chief minister.

With the RJD and BJP-Samata combine evenly poised at present, Paswan will prove to be the tilting factor. His supporters feel he should take advantage of the situation and prepare his own grounds for the future.