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Deshmukh to expand ministry today

The first expansion of the 28-member Maharashtra ministry will take place in Bombay today.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said the list of probables was being finalised in consultation with the Congress high command. He, however, refused to divulge any names.

He hinted that some of the independents who had supported the Congress-National Congress Party government at the time of confidence vote could be inducted.

Deshmukh met Congress president Sonia Gandhi last evening, and held discussions on cabinet expansion and distribution of portfolios, it was officially learnt.

Earlier in the day, Deshmukh alongwith Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Parliament House and thanked him for giving reasonable representation to the state in the Union ministry.

The chief minister said that Vajpayee assured them of continued support for ongoing developmental projects in the state.

UNI

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