The expansion of the Union Council of Ministers, which was expected to take place today, appears unlikely.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who had a four-hour-long marathon meeting yesterday, deferred their scheduled meeting this morning on finalisation of portfolios for Congress nominees, party sources said.
There was no official word on when the two leaders will be meeting. There was speculation that Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is demanding one more MoS berth for her party.
Within the Congress there has been jockeying for plum portfolios among those already inducted and those yet to be named to join the ministry.
The expected swearing-in this evening may be put off to Thursday in view of tomorrow being the death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru.