The Congress will head the next government in Maharashtra while ally Nationalist Congress Party will get the post of deputy chief minister.

"We have agreed to continue the 1999 formula except that the NCP will have two more ministers of cabinet rank and one minister of state with two portfolios transferred to NCP from the Congress quota," AICC general secretary Margaret Alva announced in the presence of her party colleague Ahmed Patel and NCP leader Praful Patel.

"We have resolved the issue to the satisfaction of both sides," she said.

As per 1999 formula, the Congress was to get the post of chief minister while the NCP would have a deputy chief minister. But in this election, the NCP got more MLAs despite contesting fewer number of seats than the Congress leading to a demand that it be given the chief minister's post.

After protracted negotiations, the Congress managed to retain the top post but has had to concede two cabinet and one minister of state posts from its quota.

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The announcement was made at Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar's residence.

Earlier Report:
Cong may give NCP two deputy CMs