Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Mukut Mithi is putting up a brave front despite the fact that 38 of his colleagues from the Congress have revolted against him.

The rebels have formed a separate outfit -- the United Democratic Front -- and elected former chief minister Gegong Apang as their leader.

"I am not resigning," Mithi told rediff.com on phone from his residence in Itanagar.

Asked if he planned to see Governor V C Pandey and clarify his position, Mithi said, "I am waiting for a communication from the governor. If he calls me then I would go and see him, otherwise I have no inclination."

Mithi, who now has the support of 21 legislators in the 60-member assembly, accused the Centre of trying to pull down his government.

"The Government of India wanted us to agree to shifting two border districts of Tirap and Changlang to create greater Nagaland.

"This is not a sudden development... it has been going on for sometime now. The Government of India has financed the moves made by Gegong Apang to topple my government. I hope that the MLA's who have crossed over to Apang start returning to the Congress soon," he said.

The Congress high command has sent Dalbir Singh, a senior leader, to talk to the rebels.

The party did not rule out a change in the state leadership in order to mollify the rebels.

"This problem had been there, but the magnitude of the defection took us by surprise. I am rushing back to the state to help Dalbir Singhji in overcoming this crisis," Omem Deori, former member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh and Congress Working Committee member, told rediff.com

There are reports that she may take over from Mithi in case there is a change of guard.

Though Mithi ruled out a non-Congress government coming to power, he said even if Apang became chief minister, his tenure would be short.