Meet Congress' negotiators

As counting day nears, the next big focus for the big two parties will be on cobbling post-poll alliances.

So who will clinch the deal for the Congress before Sonia Gandhi does the formal handshake?

That includes Sonia's political secretary Ahmed Patel, Pranab Mukherjee, AK Antony, Prithviraj Chavan, Oscar Fernandes and Kapil Sibal.

Each of them is given a clear brief often not knowing what the other person is doing. All of them report to Sonia Gandhi.

"We have to work out friends," said Prithviraj Chavan, Congress Leader.

"It will be a partnership," said Congress leader Oscar Fernandes.

The last time round the Congress negotiators were put to test was in July last year during the trust vote. They were told that every MP, barring the Left can be poached.

The crack team delivered though there were allegations of cash for vote.

Now, the negotiators are silent on how they will firm up post-poll tie-ups.

"I cannot tell but we will wait; it's a political process which is carried out," put forth Congress Leader Kapil Sibal.

In 2004, the Congress rewarded each of the allies that had three MPs with a Cabinet berth.

Basically saying that there are many in the Congress who have a rapport with possible allies. But with a few days to go, none of them has a clue whether they should begin negotiations. That is something that will be decided by Sonia Gandhi herself.