Cong, NCP differ over swearing in of ministers

Tensions have surfaced between the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party over the formation of government in Maharashtra. While the Congress is not willing to induct all the 20 members at one go, NCP is insisting the swearing in of the members should take place on the same day.

A Congress minister told Business Standard: “Congress is keen that the new chief minister and deputy chief minister be sworn in, may be on Thursday. So far, the top brass has not cleared the names of party leaders who will be inducted in the new government led by Prithviraj Chavan. Some ministers who were part of the Cabinet of the Ashok Chavan government could be dropped. For this, the party needs time.”

An NCP minister said the party’s list was ready and wanted the swearing-in should be held on the same day. “The problem with the Congress is that it has to always seek approval from the party high command on each and every issue. We have told the Congress party we cannot wait for its decision and we are insisting all ministers be sworn in at one go.”

He indicated the stalemate will be resolved once chief minister-designate Prithviraj Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar along with state party chiefs and leaders meet either tonight or on Thursday morning. NCP is meeting the governor to submit its letter of support to the Congress party in the formation of the government.

The NCP leader indicated the ministers, who were part of the Ashok Chavan ministry may be given yet another chance. However, there could be some minor changes.

For Prithviraj Chavan the formation of his cabinet will be a herculean task because he has to appease various factions and groups belonging to various regions in the state.

A state Congress functionary said: “Prithvirajji would have to give preference to senior leaders such as former chief minister Narayan Rane, senior ministers including Patangrao Kadam, Balasaheb Thorat and Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil. Besides, he may have to consider old partymen like Vilaskaka Patil and Muslim leaders such as Naseem Khan and Hussain Dalwai. New faces including Prashant Thakur and Pranati Shinde could also be considered for a ministerail berth.”

Meanwhile, it was announced late Wednesday night that Chavan will be sworn-in as Maharashtra’s new Chief Minister on Thursday along with NCP’s Pawar as his deputy.

Governor K Sankaranarayanan will administer the oath of office and secrecy at the Raj Bhawan at 4.30 pm. Chavan and Pawar met the governor late at night, staking their claim to form the government with letters of support.