Following the dramatic political coup in Albany, the State Senate remains in a political deadlock as Democrats and Republicans try to sort out the shakeup in leadership ahead of a possible session Thursday.

While the Democrats originally held the key to the closed Senate chambers and had refused to reopen the doors, Republicans claim to have obtained the keys. Democrats then threatened to go to court to prevent the Republicans from meeting.

The session was supposed to begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday but was never held.

It is still unclear whether the majority leader is Democratic leader Malcolm Smith or Republican leader Dean Skelos.

The new coalition that ousted Smith as majority leader on Monday, consists of all 30 Republicans and Democrats Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr.

In a statement, Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith's spokesman said, "The purported coup was an unlawful violation of New York State law and the Senate rules and we do not accept it. The Senate Majority is fully prepared to go back to the people's work, but will not enter the chamber to be governed by unlawful rules."

Smith said his office is planning to file an action for a temporary injunction to "enjoin the Republicans from illegitimately usurping authority from the people of New York."

Earlier in the day, Monserrate told NY1 Political reporter Josh Robin that he was having second thoughts about being part of the coalition behind the coup.

He later put those speculations to rest when he emerged for a press conference outside the chamber with fellow Democrat Pedro Espada Jr. and Republican leader Dean Skelos.

"There's been parts that have been circus-like and I apologize to the voters of the state. We had no control over that," said Espada. "But now that we do have control of the Senate chambers, we just want to get back to work."

Saying that the Monday vote that swayed the balance of power toward the GOP is in dispute since it may have been held after the legislative body was adjourned, Governor David Paterson said that the state Legislature was "totally humiliated...even by Albany's standard."

"You can't just go into the chamber and change the leadership of the Senate at a whim every moment just because the vote in the Senate as to who is the majority is very close," said the governor. "It is a misfeasance to duty and it's an insult to government."

Paterson said that lawmakers should hold a second vote for Senate majority leader, and while he hoped that Democrats retain Senate control, he pledged to work with whoever wins.

"I may not like the process but I'm not going to influence the outcome," said the governor.

He also said the lawmakers owe it to taxpayers to do their jobs and address the issues facing the state.

"If the members of the Senate want to replace the leader, that's not my issue. My issue is that we're not doing the people's business," said Paterson. "We have invaded and interrupted the government process in the last two weeks of the session for something that should have been resolved prior to this session, something that is political in nature."

The Reverend Al Sharpton called an emergency meeting Wednesday in Monserrate's district of Elmhurst, Queens to talk with elected officials and community leaders about what's happening in Albany, and the effect it can ultimately have on the city and the state.

Sharpton said that he will hold a rally in Albany on Monday if Democrats do not retain control of the State Senate.

At a news conference following the breakfast meeting with officials, Sharpton said he did not use any critical language when talking about the lawmakers involved in the revolt.

"You've got to find a way to break the stalemate," said Sharpton. "You've got to bring things back on track. If they don't, we intend to bring a large number of people to Albany on Monday. But the people cannot sit by as spectators when it is our homes, our families, and our schools that will be jeopardized. This is not about Albany, this is about the people living in the district."

He said he spoke with both Smith and Monserrate and urged them to reach an agreement.

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall was at the meeting with Sharpton and expressed outraged over Monserrate's move.

"I'm disappointed, okay," said Marshall. "For him to move over to the Republican side and still call himself a Democrat, I was in the Assembly for nine years, it doesn't work. You can't have it both ways."

Appearing on NY1's "Road to City Hall" on Tuesday, Monserrate said he was prompted to side with Republicans mainly because the Democratic-controlled Senate was not discussing a number of key issues, including the mayor's control of schools. But, he is maintaining his allegiance to the Democratic Party.

"I'm a Democrat," Monserrate said. "It's unfortunate that I took the stance that I did and I took the actions that I did because I saw a need and a vacuum in the State Senate, with respect to leadership. We need to move forward, that's what I did, but I'm a Democrat and I will always be a Democrat."

Governor David Paterson says he still recognizes Malcolm Smith as Senate majority leader, but says he does not want to leave the state right now, because it's unclear who'd be acting governor.

Meanwhile, the power struggle in Albany could affect important issues facing the city.

Among the issues that could be affected is the law authorizing the mayor's control of city schools. The legislation expires at the end of the month.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he does not know where a possible legal battle would leave the issue.

"The good news is it's the summer," said Bloomberg. "The bad news is we have summer school and the school system does lots of things during the summer and nobody knows what would happen"

Also up in the air is the city's request for a half-percent sales tax increase, which needs legislative approval.

City Comptroller, and candidate for mayor, William Thompson says the timing of the power grab leaves far too much in limbo.

"Things are going down the drain right now," he said. "It was a foolish, fool-hearted move on everybody's part to make change at the last second."

Bloomberg says if the sales tax increase does not pass, the city will find another way to help plug the budget gap.