Chief Minister designate Ashok Chavan today met governor S C Jamir and staked claim to form the next government, 15 days after the Congress-NCP haggled over the portfolio issue.

Chavan, accompanied by NCP legislature party leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who will be the deputy chief minister, met Jamir and handed over the letters of support to stake claim.

Click here for Cloud Computing

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Merger norms of CCI Act would benefit industry: Khurshid - New system to provide real picture of price situation: govt - Pharma ind seeks govt assistance on takeover concerns - RBS posts 1.53 bn pounds operating loss in Q3 - Cong-NCP govt to be sworn in tomorrow - Cong, NCP clinch deal in Maha

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Wall Street opens flat as data offsets Moody's warning - Thomas Cook India Q4 net jumps three times - Govt plans to make 30% sourcing from MSEs mandatory - Explain ways to cover govt loss on 3G roaming: TDSAT to telcos - Magma Fincorp plans to start gold finance biz in H1 of FY13 More

Sources said Chavan has claimed support of 170 MLAs, including some independents and a few other MLAs.

The new government is scheduled to be sworn in tomorrow evening, a fortnight after the alliance rode back to power for the third time in a row.

The delay in staking claim was due to NCP making a strong demand for sticking to the 1999 formula, under which Congress would get chief ministership but NCP would get key portfolios like Home, Finance, Power and PWD.

Chavan, who was in Delhi since morning holding discussions with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Maharashtra A K Antony on the composition of the ministry, returned here this evening and drove straight to Raj Bhavan.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Manikrao Thakre, state NCP chief R R Patil, Mumbai Congress president Kripashankar Singh and a few independent MLAs also accompanied Chavan.

Chavan said while 20 ministers from the NCP will be sworn in tomorrow, the number of ministers from the Congress to take oath in the first phase was not yet decided.

The size of the council of ministers cannot exceed 43, including the chief minister.

New Ipad Application :Business Standard's all new IPad App Click here to download for free Other Stories      - Wall Street opens flat as data offsets Moody's warning - Thomas Cook India Q4 net jumps three times - Govt plans to make 30% sourcing from MSEs mandatory - Explain ways to cover govt loss on 3G roaming: TDSAT to telcos - Magma Fincorp plans to start gold finance biz in H1 of FY13

Tags : Ashok Chavan | govt | Congress | NCP | assembly polls   Read Business news in  Advertisements -  Now property search gets more exciting than ever before! -  High Growth Business Opportunities in Africa - Register to explore -  Medium-sized businesses are the engines of a smarter planet. -  We live for our family. have you secured them? -  Office 365 for professionals and small businesses. -  Earn fuel worth Rs.2400 with Citi -  India's No. 1 Property Site. Click here to know more.. -  Diseases earlier, Saving Costs, Extending Lives. Know More.. -  Get 5% cashback on telephone bills with Citi -  Enjoy the journey as much as the destination. click to know more.. -  Exim Bank Conclave on India - Africa Project Partnership. Know more.. -  Be part of it The World's Largest Aircraft. -  Creating Wealth made simple the SIP way. Know more.. -  Only Developer to give a guarantee on time space & rate. -  Buy Your Property with Our Triple Guarantee in India. -  Improve Patient Care & Experience. Click here to know more -  Win a Business Class Ticket to Europe..Know more.. -   Introduce a New Automotive Luxury Car.. know more -  Health is Wealth..... Insurance + Savings... Know More...