Absence of portfolios stokes speculation in media

NEW DELHI: Past 11 pm on Monday, Delhi's political grapevine was still trying to get a fix on portfolios for the new ministerial council.

A surprising delay in the announcement saw even newly sworn in ministers inquiring about their duties while the media remained agog with feverish speculation.

The list of portfolios put together by TOI is based on information gathered through its sources and other reports. The confusion saw BJP leader Uma Bharti tweet that she had been given the water resources portfolio, only to retract the announcement as a mistake.

By close to midnight, some sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not cleared the announcement after an official banquet for visiting SAARC dignitaries.

The absence of portfolios created an unusual situation, as ministers and the public at large had to be content with speculation.