Senior members of the ruling United Russia...

Mironov, a former strong supporter of the Putin-Medvedev poitical tandem, is now the leader of the opposition A Just Russia party, and openly criticized anti-crisis measures introduced by the government in an interview on Russian television on Monday.

"Considering that he [Mironov] represents St. Petersburg"s legislative assembly, where we [the United Russia] have the majority, I believe it is logical and necessary...to initiate [Mironov"s] resignation procedures," said Andrei Vorobyov, head of United Russia"s central executive committee.

Vyacheslav Volodin, secretary of United Russia"s general council presidium, said Mironov"s remarks showed his "dishonesty and inconsistency in regard to Vladimir Putin - a person who has done so much for the country and its people."

Another senior United Russia official, Andrei Isayev, said Mironov"s criticism reflected "his personal moral crisis."

"I think it would be fair and right for him to resign from his post [as

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