DMK and Congress portfolio sharing issues set to solve

The Congress has agreed to give three Cabinet, one minister of state with independent charge and three ministers of state berths to the DMK. Though the DMK seems to have agreed to the formula, the party has insisted on a bunch of ministries for each minister against the Congress’ formula of one portfolio for one minister.
The Congress has refused to give plum ministries like Telecom and Surface Transport and Shipping and Highways to the DMK. Instead, it has been offered the ministries of Steel, Chemicals and Fertilisers. The Congress has asked the DMK to decide whom to allot which portfolio.
DMK’s T R Baalu, A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran are the names doing the rounds for Cabinet berths, while party chief M Karunanidhi’s children M K Azhagiri and Kanimozhi are being tipped for ministers of state with independent charge and MPs S Jagatrakshakan and A K S Vijayan for ministers of state.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad is said to have spoken to Karunanidhi over phone and requested his party to join the government soon. Sources in the Congress said the very reason behind the announcement of portfolios for six Cabinet ministers on Saturday was to increase pressure on the DMK to join the government at the earliest. Azad said the party had no differences with the DMK and expressed hope the key ally would join the government soon.