Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal today said he was misquoted and his statement distorted by the media. He said he had suggested president's rule for UP only if parties don't get a majority and was in fact explaining the constitutonal and legal reality.

His U-turn comes after the Congress Party reportedly pulled him up for suggesting president's rule in Uttar Pradesh if the party failed to get a majority in the state assembly polls.

Jaiswal yesterday said, "If Congress gets majority, then it will form the government...if some seats are short, then there is no option other than President's rule."

He also said that he expected poll results to be "shocking" and predicted that the Congress would get a majority.

His statement has evoked a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which said that it was indicative of the "feudal mindset" of the Congress.