By IANS
Shimla : The newly-elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in Himachal Pradesh are keenly lobbying with the party leadership for ministerial berths ahead of the cabinet formation Jan 9.
Only Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal was sworn in by the governor on Dec 30 after the party won the state assembly elections.
All legislators hoping to get a ministerial berth are camping in Delhi to woo the top party leaders.
The state can have only 11 ministers. There are many contenders for the berths, including several senior legislators.
Women members and Dalit and tribal legislators also are vying for ministerial posts.
The state BJP has two factions – one led by Dhumal and the other by senior party leader and former chief minister Shanta Kumar. It remains to be seen how the party achieves balance in picking members from both factions as ministers.
Observers say it is proving difficult for Dhumal to pick his choice from the current lot as there are bound to be disappointed faces after the final choice is made.
The BJP swept to power on Dec 28 after ousting the Congress.
In a house of 68, the BJP won 41 seats, the Congress 23, Independents three and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) got one seat.