Tamilnadu Chief Minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi, who is leaving for New Delhi later today to ‘bargain’ with the Congress over getting for his party a desired number of berths and portfolios in the Union Cabinet could be in for a ‘rude shock’ this time.

For, reports from the capital have it that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is against the DMK renominating Union Communications and IT Minister A Raja and Minister for Shipping and Road Transport T R Baalu, as both had come under a cloud - Raja in the 3G spectrum case and Baalu on the Sethusamudram issue.

Also, the Congress is reportedly not ready to give the DMK the number of seats and portfolios it would demand. The  ruling party in Tamilnadu was close to insist on at least six berths - three Cabinet Ministers and three Minister of States (MOSs).

Reports said the DMK’s wishlist comprised railway and coal and mines Ministries, not to forget about its pet portfolio of IT and Communication.

Under the circumstances, the DMK may get two Cabinet berths and two MOSs, it is said. The general mood is that— a confident Congress, bolstered by over 200 seats of its own in the Lok Sabha, will not let its allies dictate  terms for Cabinet berths during government formation.

Determined to provide a government that is free from the unwarranted pulls and pressures of alliance politics, the Congress has reportedly decided that this time around it would set the rules for government formation in a manner that would make a clean break from the past. So, Congress allies are unlikely to be offer key portfolios that have a bearing on national security and economy.

Rural Ministry for Rahul?

The latest buzz in New Delhi is that AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi would be given the portfolio of Union Rural Ministry in the soon-to- be-formed Cabinet. Sources said he is most likely to opt for rural development ministry with independent charge as it is in sync with his development vision.

‘The aam admi portfolio could also help him work on his inclusive growth agenda,’ a Congress leader was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, reports also have it that the race for the Finance Minister’s post is hotting up with political heavyweights like Pranab Mukherjee, Kamal Nath and P Chidambaram throwing their hats in the ring.

Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia is also reported to be interested in the post. However, the job is likely to go to a political person, which limits Ahluwalia’s chances.