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New Indian cabinet to be sworn in New Indian cabinet to be sworn in
(about 3 hours later)
Manmohan Singh is set to be sworn in at the head of a new Indian government in the capital, Delhi.Manmohan Singh is set to be sworn in at the head of a new Indian government in the capital, Delhi.
Mr Singh will be taking charge for a second term, only the second PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to be returned to power after a full five-year term.Mr Singh will be taking charge for a second term, only the second PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to be returned to power after a full five-year term.
The Congress party won a decisive mandate in the recent polls and Mr Singh has emerged politically stronger.The Congress party won a decisive mandate in the recent polls and Mr Singh has emerged politically stronger.
However, a key ally of the Congress has left the governing alliance after disagreements over ministerial posts.However, a key ally of the Congress has left the governing alliance after disagreements over ministerial posts.
The Tamil Nadu-based DMK party said its 18 members of parliament would not serve in the government but would still support the coalition in the house.The Tamil Nadu-based DMK party said its 18 members of parliament would not serve in the government but would still support the coalition in the house.
The move is seen as the first setback to the coalition, but analysts say it is unlikely to pose a serious threat to the government.The move is seen as the first setback to the coalition, but analysts say it is unlikely to pose a serious threat to the government.
The Congress party and its allies swept back to power when votes from the marathon five-phase general election were counted last weekend.The Congress party and its allies swept back to power when votes from the marathon five-phase general election were counted last weekend.
'Good governance' Hard bargain
Mr Singh and his cabinet will take the oath of office from Indian President Pratibha Patil at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, in Delhi on Friday evening. Mr Singh and a 19-member cabinet will take the oath of office from Indian President Pratibha Patil at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace, in Delhi on Friday evening.
The DMK of M Karunanidhi (R) is unhappy at the posts offeredThe DMK of M Karunanidhi (R) is unhappy at the posts offered
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says many thought that during his first term Mr Singh would find it difficult to withstand the pressure of demanding political allies. A press release on the website of the prime minister's office names Congress veterans Pranab Mukherjee, AK Antony and P Chidambaram among those who will be sworn in on Friday.
But throughout his career, our correspondent says, Mr Singh has displayed an ability to stand firm and outlast his most trenchant critics. Sharad Pawar and Mamata Banerjee, who are among the key alliance partners, will also be in the cabinet.
Analysts say the new cabinet is unlikely to differ much from the outgoing one with most of the key portfolios going to incumbent ministers. The swearing-in will be followed over the next few days by an expansion of the council of ministers to include other cabinet and junior ministers, the PMO says.
"The prime minister thinks the people have spoken in favour of good governance and he intends to focus on performance and accountability while choosing his ministers. That is his prerogative," one senior Congress leader told the AFP news agency. "This expansion will give due representation to allied parties," it adds.
In recent days, Mr Singh and the leader of his Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, have been bargaining hard with their electoral allies over the distribution of cabinet positions.In recent days, Mr Singh and the leader of his Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, have been bargaining hard with their electoral allies over the distribution of cabinet positions.
On Thursday, the DMK left the alliance after talks failed over ministerial positions. On Thursday, the DMK left the alliance after talks failed. Reports said DMK leader M Karunanidhi was unhappy at the number of cabinet posts offered.
"We still have not reached a breakthrough with the DMK. Talks with some allies are continuing. Some cabinet berths have been worked out, some others are still being discussed," the senior Congress leader said.
Reports said DMK leader M Karunanidhi was unhappy at the number of posts offered.
The Congress-led coalition said it had the support of 274 lawmakers prior to the DMK's announcement, which is two more than needed for a parliamentary majority.The Congress-led coalition said it had the support of 274 lawmakers prior to the DMK's announcement, which is two more than needed for a parliamentary majority.
With outside support, the coalition said it had 322 members of the lower house of parliament backing it.With outside support, the coalition said it had 322 members of the lower house of parliament backing it.
Analysts say the DMK may be posturing. It made the same move after the 2004 election before eventually joining the ruling alliance.Analysts say the DMK may be posturing. It made the same move after the 2004 election before eventually joining the ruling alliance.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says many thought that during his first term Mr Singh would find it difficult to withstand the pressure of demanding political allies.
But throughout his career, our correspondent says, Mr Singh has displayed an ability to stand firm and outlast his most trenchant critics.