NEW DELHI: With reality dawning on the Sheila Dikshit Government that the looming threat to survival of the regime over the issue of "office of profit" and disqualification of 19 MLAs is real, both the Government and the ruling Congress party have gone into crisis management mode seeking opinion from legal luminaries and convening meetings of the MLAs concerned.

According to highly placed sources, certain sections in the Government are also toying with the idea of bringing in an Ordinance to save the day, but it is felt that such a course would result in a conflict as a legislation passed by the Delhi Assembly in this connection is already pending with the Union Home Ministry and awaiting assent of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

In such a situation, the idea of bringing in an Ordinance was not a feasible option, sources added.

Sources informed that with the Election Commission refusing to extend time for the MLAs facing disqualification proceedings, the Government has been thrown into a tizzy. Faced with the threat of her Government being reduced to a minority, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit convened a high-level meeting at her residence on Wednesday morning that was attended by senior officials and lawyers apart from the affected MLAs.

Some of the lawyers present at the meeting were of the view that those facing action under the office of profit definition for being chairmen of the District Development Committees could get relief, as this did not qualify as office of profit.

However, it was felt that further consultations be held on the issue. Former Minister Narendra Nath, who is also facing disqualification proceedings, was asked to coordinate with the legal luminaries.

Meanwhile, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ram Babu Sharma also convened a meeting of senior party leaders and the affected MLAs to discuss the plan of action to be adopted.

After prolonged consultations it was felt that the party and the Government should approach Union Law and Justice Minister H.R. Bhardwaj and seek a firm view on the same.

It was also felt that all the MLAs concerned should file a common reply in order to avoid any kind of contradiction in their assertions before the Election Commission.

However, at both the meetings, worry and concern were clearly visible with many of the MLAs conceding that things were `quite serious' at present. What has complicated the situation is that the Law Department of the Union Law and Justice Ministry is still holding on to the legislation passed by the Delhi Government in this regard and no hurry is being shown to get things moving.

"Instead of indulging in any kind of one-upmanship, the Government and the party should work and face the present situation in a united manner. The Congress is not in a position to contest elections as any such eventuality will be harmful for the party," said a senior party leader.

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