ALBANY -- Two New York senators have walked out on fellow Democrats minutes after a Republican-led faction claimed more Democrats will join them Thursday if the monthlong standoff in the Senate isn't resolved.

Democratic Sens. Hiram Monserrate and Ruben Diaz had no comment beyond saying the power struggle must end, they aren't abandoning the Democratic conference, and they'll talk about their role on Thursday.

They left the chamber as Democrats sought to open a regular session Tuesday.

Diaz and Monserrate met over the last two days with Sen. Pedro Espada, a Bronx Democrat who allied with Republicans to challenge the Democrats' majority.

Espada said he expects several Democrats will act if the conflict isn't settled by Thursday. He wouldn't specify what the action would be.