Maharashtra CM will be from Shiv Sena as NCP, Congress agree to deputy CM berths

 

After hectic negotiations, the Congress, NCP and the Shiv Sena have agreed that the chief minister of Maharashtra would be from the Shiv Sena, according to sources.

Under the deal, which will be announced after it is cleared by the central leaderships of all three parties, the Shiv Sena will have its chief minister for the full five year term while the NCP and the Congress will have their deputy chief ministers.

Major portfolios like home, finance, revenue, urban development, cooperatives, etc will be allotted to the NCP and the Congress.

The Congress will also have its candidate as Speaker while the Deputy Speaker will be from the NCP, according to sources.

The government will take charge as soon as President’s rule is lifted in the state, according to sources in the Congress and NCP.

While the NCP has been insisting on rotating the post of chief minister, the Sena has refused to yield, say sources.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has been skirting the issue to avoid dissidence, according to party sources.