The deadline for the formation of the new government ends on Tuesday. Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and his deputy Chhagan Bhujbal are expected to take the oath of office today. "The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister will take the oath today," said highly placed Congress sources, adding that the Cabinet formation would take place at a later date.
This clearly indicates that the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party that has returned to power for the third consecutive term are yet to reach an understanding on the sharing of portfolios.
The Congress won more seats than its ally, NCP and has been demanding a lion's share in the government, including key portfolios like home, finance and power. The NCP on the other hand has been insisting on a 50 percent of the 42 ministries on offer, including key portfolios like home, finance and power, which it has held since 1999 when the two parties first formed the government.