Congress leadership working to unite rival Rajasthan factions

Differences over Ministerial berths to Pilot camp holding up Cabinet expansion

The Congress party’s top leadership is working on a formula to bring the rival factions of to a compromise, but differences over the number of Ministerial portfolios to be allotted to the Pilot camp is holding up the expansion of the State government in Rajasthan, a highly placed source said on Saturday. However, contrary to media reports, there were no meetings between Mr. Pilot, who arrived in Delhi late on Friday evening, and the central leadership, on the issue of Cabinet expansion. Of the nine available Ministerial slots in the State Cabinet, the source cited above told The Hindu that the Pilot camp expected six-seven positions. They argue that this was what was promised to them by the late Ahmed Patel, one of the key negotiators with .