Standing alone Mr Tytler?

Jagdish Tytler, minister of state for non-resident Indians, who claimed that the whole Congress party and the government was firmly behind him, has in fact become a liability, and Congressmen have already started keeping away from him.

When asked if the party agreed with Tytler's claim, Congress spokesman Pawan Kumar Bansal [ Images ] said it was the viewpoint of the person concerned. "Well that is his preception," Bansal said in response to a question from this correspondent on Wednesday.

• Decks cleared for Tytler's resignation
• Trouble brewing for Tytler

Congressmen agreed in general that trying to shield Tytler would damage the party's image and the government. "He has already become a liability for us. I do not think that he would tender resignation. He may have to be dropped," another senior leader of the party admitted in a private conversation.

Meanwhile, Jagdish Tytler, after holding a press conference at his residence in Tyagaraj Road, has become incommunicado. Newsmen trying to contact him at known addresses, where he could be found, failed to trace the minister.