Maharashtra govt formation: Cong to drive hard bargain in power-sharing with NCP, Sena

With the NCP not present at this meeting, The Indian Express learnt that the two parties discussed the post of Speaker in the event that the three form the government. Key to the functioning of the Assembly, the post of Speaker, vested with the powers under the anti-defection law to expel MLAs, emerged as an important element in the bargaining. The Congress will push hard for the post to be given to it, a source in the party said.

While the NCP has not yet staked claim to the post, the Congress and Sena seem to have reached an understanding to ensure that Pawar’s party does not get it.

Most senior leaders in the Maharashtra Congress are agreed that the party should insist on an equitable sharing of portfolios if the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena come together to form the government.

“We will be insisting on an equitable distribution of power between the three parties. Who has how many MLAs does not matter in this situation as we believe all of us are at an even keel and the government can be formed only if all three of us come together,” a senior Congress leader said.

Congress sources have said that the party is likely to push for a one-third each power-sharing formula, which means 42 Cabinet berths will be divided equally between the three partners, giving 14 ministerial berths to each.