Allies put in demands for portfolios

Hectic lobbying for portfolios has begun in the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), the grouping of parties that will stake claim to form the new government.

Among the Congress' pre-poll allies, the DMK, despite its refusal to join the government, may be given four portfolios. It also wants an assurance on the scrapping of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and some signal that the cases against AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will be followed up.

Lok Janashakti Party chief Ramvilas Paswan will like to return to telecom. Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad Yadav has sought the railway portfolio and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has indicated a preference for petroleum and defence.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar will like to be the convenor of the SPA, but the Congress prefers Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Somnath Chatterjee for the post.

There are also a number of claimants for the prized job of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Pranab Mukherjee, who was given the best parliamentarian award in the last Lok Sabha, would have been the Congress' choice for the job, but his services may be needed in the home ministry. With the Left Parties indicating they will stay out of the government, the home portfolio has returned to the Congress.

Senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy could also be a possible choice for the post, but the party is also considering Pawan Kumar Bansal, who has been member of the both the Upper and Lower Houses. PR Kyndiah, the Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly, is another choice. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister AR Antulay was considered by the party for the job, but because of his health and his somewhat irritable temperament, a decision was postponed.

Among the other senior Congress leaders, K Natwar Singh is said to be in the contention to head the external affairs ministry and PR Dasmunshi is tipped for the parliamentary affairs portfolio.

The Congress is keen to have P Chidambaram in the council of ministers. However, a decision on his portfolio has not been taken as yet. The party also wants a young and dynamic minister for the human resources development ministry.

Another office that has to be filled is that of Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. The problem is that Pulak Chatterjee, the PS to the Leader of the Opposition, does not have the required seniority. An intensive headhunting exercise is on to select the man for the job, which involves extensive consultation with secretary-level officers, including the Cabinet Secretary. An adviser in the Planning Commission is being considered for the job.

Former Foreign Secretary JN Dixit may be appointed National Security Adviser.