New Delhi: A blunt speaking Samajwadi Party chief has set his price.
"The government of UP, has been found to be unconstitutional in certain cases in the Supreme court, the grounds are already there, so we will support whichever government will help us dismiss this government," said Mulayam Singh.
And, the Congress is making polite noises.
Says party spokesperson Veerappa Moily: "I think it is a result of UP politics. I am sure he will be a part of the UPA. We will not do anything unconstitutional."
By seeking the dismissal of the Mayawati government, Mulayam may be reaching out to like-minded political parties. But this could also be an attempt on his party to completely distance himself from the third front that could back Mayawati as Prime Minister in a post-poll scenario.
But this bargaining isn't confined to Uttar Pradesh.
Many expect Jayalalithaa to sweep Tamil Nadu's 39 seats. She could well demand the dismissal of the DMK led government in the state.
That's why she's now being wooed by both the Congress and the BJP.
When asked if the Congress could go with amma, Delhi Chief Minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit said: "Yes may be you see it depends on how many seats Congress on its own is able to get...and how many more does it require to have a credible government or a stable government."
It is perhaps about cutting the best political deal possible, perhaps just some plain old posturing. But it sure is a sign of the uncertainty about the election results that's worrying political parties.