New Delhi: The ministry formation in
Maharashtra appears to be turning into a tricky affair with
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan ducking questions on when the
long-awaited exercise will be carried out.
"I have still some discussions left. I am sure I am going
to Mumbai tomorrow... you will be told at the appropriate
time," he told reporters when asked about swearing-in of the
Maharashtra cabinet.
He said this after detailed consultations with Congress
chief Sonia Gandhi and AICC incharge of Maharashtra A K
Antony.
Chavan`s parleys with the high command came a day after
NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar sprang a
surprise by demanding re-negotiation of the power sharing
formula. He wanted 21 ministerial berths for the NCP as
against 20 so far.
"I am not going to talk about names (to be included), the
numbers or any formula," he said when asked whether senior
leaders like Narayan Rane and Patangrao Kadam will find a
place in his ministry.
In fact, he spoke precious little about the exercise that
was earlier expected to be carried out tomorrow taking the
plea that it took time for him to have talks with NCP supremo
Sharad Pawar due to his illness.
Chavan`s Delhi trip also appeared to be a last minute
affair indicating that some serious issues needed to be
thrashed out.
The new Chief Minister, who was sworn in on November 11,
has been talking of taking some tough decisions in the
ministry formation exercise that has led to a lot of
speculation about axing of some senior ministers.
-PTI
