As suspense heightened over the game of numbers, Janata Dal (United) on Saturday  claimed some RJD MPs were in touch with the party and could vote against the confidence motion on July 22.

Within hours of RJD chief Lalu Prasad's assertion that all his 24 MPs will vote in support of the motion, JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' claimed some RJD MPs were "very eager" to quit the party and switch over to their side.

He, however, evaded a direct reply on how many RJD MPs were in touch with JD(U), saying "everything will be clear on July 22".

Lalan was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the JD(U) national executive, being attended by seven of its eight Lok Sabha members.

On the RJD chief's claim of support of 291 MPs, he said "Lalu Prasad is living in the world of dreams. First let him protect his own house (RJD)."

On the absence of party MP P P Koya, JD(U) spokesman Shambhu Srivastwa said he was unwell, but will make it at the time of voting.

The two-day national executive, which began on Saturday, strongly criticised the Congress-led coalition over inflation and the Indo-US nuclear deal, and described the UPA government as "most insensitive government India has ever had".

Srivastwa said the JD(U) would vote against the government as the party "will not accept American hegemony by surrendering on the issue of sovereignty. We will not compromise come what may".