Maharashtra: Govt coming, says Praful Patel

Mumbai: The new Maharashtra government was meant to be sworn in on Tuesday but the winning allies, the Congress and the NCP have still not sorted out their differences of power sharing.

The NCP, for its part, insists on the 1999 formula of equal portfolio sharing but there's no word on when that will happen, though NCP leader Praful Patel has said the deadlock should be resolved in the next day or two.

Earlier, Maharashtra governor SC Jamir on Tuesday called Chief MinisterAshok Chavan and his deputy Chhagan Bhujbal to discuss governmentformation.

Chhagan Bhujbal, the deputy chief minister designate said the NCP will join the government only when the issues are resolved.

The hard bargain:

• The Congress wants to keep 23 ministries and offer the NCP 20
• But the NCP has insisted on 22 ministries
• The NCP is also set to retain the Home Ministry
• The Congress wants rural development and tribal welfare held by the NCP
• In return the NCP wants the crucial Congress ministries of urban development and social welfare
  

Two weeks after the declaration of Maharashtra election results and with still no government in sight.

The fresh development comes in the backdrop of the impasse over portfolios, as the tenure of the present Maharashtra Assembly expires on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Opposition is now seeking a meeting with the Governor to demand President's Rule.