Chennai: Former Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy on Sunday alleged that the delay in cabinet formation in Puducherry was due to “bargaining” by MLAs for ministries and that cabinet berths were being “sold”.Narayanasamy sought an explanation from AINRC leader and chief minister N Rangasamy. “There is information that there was intense bargaining for ministries. Cabinet berths are being sold for 100 crore. Earlier, the bargain for a ministry was up to 50 crore, but now it has increased. Only because of this, there is delay in allocation of portfolio,” he said.” If there was corruption even before the formation of the govt, how will the rest of the govt function,” Narayanasamy asked. Though Rangasamy was sworn in as Puducherry’s chief minister on May 13, the cabinet is yet to be formed and portfolios allocated. Narayanasamy said that “people from outside Puducherry are pumping a huge amount of money” to become a minister. “They are shuttling between Delhi and Puducherry to become ministers,” he added.
