Wednesday November 4, 02:59 AM

Source: Indian Express Finance

NCP for outside support to Maha govt

By fe Bureaus
The Nationalist Congress Party, in a bid to mount pressure on the Congress, informed state governor SC Jamir on Tuesday that it would support the Congress-led government from outside. The NCP, which is stuck to guns that 1999 portfolio allocation formula be be place, made it clear that only after sorting out issues regarding portfolio distribution with the Congress party it would be in a position to give a letter of support. Ironically, 12 days after the results were out giving the Congress-NCP coalition a majority in the Assembly, the two parties are yet to sort out problems of portfolio distribution. NCP leader and civil aviation minister Praful Patel said his party would extend its full cooperation to the Congress for the formation of government in the state. Patel informed his party would like to join the government only after completion of ongoing talks between the two over portfolio distribution. As per the 1999 formula, crucial portfolios such as finance, energy, home, rural development, tribal development are held by the NCP. The Congress is arguing that the 1999 formula is not acceptable as it has gained more seats this time. Both the parties are sticking to their stand. Earlier, chief minister designate Ashok Chavan and deputy chief minister designate Chhagan Bhujbal separately met the governor and discussed about government formation. Bhujbal told reporters that it was for the chief minister to answer why a government was not yet formed. Bhujbal said the NCP was ready to extend support to the new government from outside till it sorts out issues with the Congress. The Congress should take the initiative to form the government. We are ready to give them support from outside but will join the ministry with honour after portfolio-sharing issues is resolved, he said. Bhujbal said efforts to resolve differences on portfolio allocations were on and they may be resolved in a day or two. He said NCP wants the 10-year-old arrangement on portfolio-sharing, like key portfolios of home and finance for the NCP. Patel said the NCP wants the 1999 formula to continue and that there should be no change in it. There is no no specific number or formula that has been put on the table. Talks are on at the highest levels formally and informally to resolve problems. I don t foresee any big outstanding issue to be resolved, Patel said. He said the NCP was fulfilling its coalition dharma and would continue to perform its role.