After a fortnight of bickering over ministries, the Congress and the NCP is finally set to form the government by Saturday.

Chief minister designate Ashok chavan and his deputy Chhagan Bhujbal have met the Maharashtra Governor to stake claim to form the government.

According to the deal between the Congress and the NCP, the former will keep 23 ministries including the Chief Minister's post and the NCP 20.

The NCP will retain key ministries - home, finance and power. It also retains rural development ministry, which the Congress had really been pushing for. The Congress has got the relatively minor public health portfolio from the NCP.