Cong, NCP stick to guns on berths
While Congress appeared ready for an action replay of its strategy during pre-election seat-sharing negotiations of wearing it ally down, NCP was sticking to its guns, at least for the moment.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: The Congress NCP seat-sharing talks might have got off on a congenial note on Thursday, but the two parties made little headway in resolving the logjam over key ministerial berths that both sides continue to claim.
While Congress appeared ready for an action replay of its strategy during pre-election seat-sharing negotiations of wearing it ally down, NCP was sticking to its guns, at least for the moment.
In contention are the three key portfolios of home, finance and power which are with NCP as per a formula arrived between the two parties in 1999. Also in the reckoning is the speaker���s post, also with NCP.
After a preliminary meeting of top Congress and NCP leaders in the Capital on Thursday, senior NCP leader and Union minister Praful Patel said the matter would be settled in a day or two. Similar sentiments were also expressed by Mr Ashok Chavan, chosen by the Congress for a second term as chief minister.
The meeting between Congress��� A K Antony and Ahmed Patel and NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Mr Patel took place at Mr Pawar���s residence. ���( The 1999) formula is already there, we won���t deviate from it much,��� Mr Patel said after the meeting. He added: ���Broadly, each party���s participation in the government has already been established as we have been in power for the past 10 years. Hence, there will not be much of a difference in that pattern��� . This assertion would be difficult to reconcile with Congress��� demand for the home, finance and power ministries for itself.
Congress, however, appeared confident that it would be able to convince NCP to see its logic. The party has argued that with a lead of 20 seats over the NCP���s 62, it has automatic claim to important administrative ministries which have been with its ally. NCP, which had managed to win 71 seats to the Congress 69 in 2004 elections, had agreed to let Congress have the CM���s post in exchange of a better and bigger representation in the council of ministers in the state. NCP had 24 portfolios as against 18 held by Congress in addition to the post of the chief minister. The state can have 42 ministers in all.
With the tables now having turned and Congress winning 82 seats in the 288-member assembly, Congress is gunning for a bigger share of the ministerial pie in addition to the CM���s post. ���There are no obstacles. We will finalise cabinet formation within two days,��� Mr Chavan, who met Union home minister P Chidambaram, said.
While Congress appeared ready for an action replay of its strategy during pre-election seat-sharing negotiations of wearing it ally down, NCP was sticking to its guns, at least for the moment.
In contention are the three key portfolios of home, finance and power which are with NCP as per a formula arrived between the two parties in 1999. Also in the reckoning is the speaker���s post, also with NCP.
After a preliminary meeting of top Congress and NCP leaders in the Capital on Thursday, senior NCP leader and Union minister Praful Patel said the matter would be settled in a day or two. Similar sentiments were also expressed by Mr Ashok Chavan, chosen by the Congress for a second term as chief minister.
The meeting between Congress��� A K Antony and Ahmed Patel and NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Mr Patel took place at Mr Pawar���s residence. ���( The 1999) formula is already there, we won���t deviate from it much,��� Mr Patel said after the meeting. He added: ���Broadly, each party���s participation in the government has already been established as we have been in power for the past 10 years. Hence, there will not be much of a difference in that pattern��� . This assertion would be difficult to reconcile with Congress��� demand for the home, finance and power ministries for itself.
Congress, however, appeared confident that it would be able to convince NCP to see its logic. The party has argued that with a lead of 20 seats over the NCP���s 62, it has automatic claim to important administrative ministries which have been with its ally. NCP, which had managed to win 71 seats to the Congress 69 in 2004 elections, had agreed to let Congress have the CM���s post in exchange of a better and bigger representation in the council of ministers in the state. NCP had 24 portfolios as against 18 held by Congress in addition to the post of the chief minister. The state can have 42 ministers in all.
ADVERTISEMENT
With the tables now having turned and Congress winning 82 seats in the 288-member assembly, Congress is gunning for a bigger share of the ministerial pie in addition to the CM���s post. ���There are no obstacles. We will finalise cabinet formation within two days,��� Mr Chavan, who met Union home minister P Chidambaram, said.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
