Lindsay Murdoch, Jakarta – Abandoned by almost all of Jakarta's political elite, some of whom think he has lost grasp of reality, Abdurrahman Wahid is showing there is little he will not do to remain president.

First he offered to give up virtually all of his constitutional powers to Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri even though he thinks she is not up to the task of solving the country's myriad problems.

When she ignored a deadline last Tuesday he threatened to impose a state of emergency, dissolve Parliament and call elections within 50 days. He also hinted that under the emergency powers, influential people would be arrested and jailed.

Just how Wahid proposed to call elections is unknown, given that under the Constitution only the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) can endorse the move.

As a second deadline of midnight last Friday approached and the armed forces went to its highest state of alert, Megawati showed her contempt for Wahid by going to bed early. He was bitterly disappointed when it became clear that she will rebuff his compromise and push for his impeachment when Parliament resumes on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a source close to Wahid said talks had been under way to explore the possibility of a group of Islamic-based parties led by Amien Rais being brought into the Government. Rais, the Speaker of the MPR, has been one of Wahid's strongest critics.

Analysts say the only way this group, the Central Axis, could be lured into government would be for Wahid to back away from the moderate, religion-tolerant principles he has adhered to as a respected Muslim cleric. Rais is widely regarded as a political opportunist with dangerous views. He gave tacit support to Muslim extremists launching a holy war against Christians in the Maluku islands last year that led to the slaughter of thousands.

Wahid's courting of the Central Axis parties shows the depth of his desperation. There appears little chance, however, that these talks will lead to the creation of a Muslim-dominated coalition government that would alarm Christian and other religious minorities, because it would require the support of the second-largest party, Golkar. Golkar represents the interests of many of the corrupt figures of the Soeharto era.

As Wahid's deadlines have passed it has become apparent that he has been bluffing. But the threats have inflicted enormous damage. They have alienated the country's top military commanders, who said they would resist the imposition of any state of emergency.

They also destroyed Wahid's reputation as a champion of democracy in a country that endured 32 years of brutal, military dictatorship under president Soeharto. As aides led Wahid into a news conference at the weekend he looked a sad figure.