New Delhi, March 13
Amid indications that Haryana PCC chief Bhajan Lal’s son Chander Mohan would be appointed Deputy Chief Minister, AICC members today talked to state Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda about the distribution of portfolios to the 10 ministers who had taken the oath on March 10.

Sources said that Mr Hooda was likely to take the assent of Governor on allocation of portfolios tomorrow. The Chief Minister today discussed the allocation of portfolios with AICC leaders, including Mr Janardan Dwivedi, who is party general secretary and in charge of Haryana.

Sources said that the move to make Mr Chander Mohan Deputy Chief Minister came as a “surprise” to the other Cabinet ministers. Though unhappy at the move, the ministers were unlikely to push the matter too far. The move had been kept a “secret” by the Congress central leadership during talks on ministry formation to prevent opposition from ministerial nominees, most of who have won more elections and served the party longer than Mr Chander Mohan.

Having taken oath only three days ago, it would be difficult now for the new ministers to exhibit their resentment publicly. The Cabinet ministers were called for oath in alphabetical order on March 10.