Fifteen days after the state cabinet's swearing-in, CM Uddhav Thackeray has finally allotted portfolios to the six ministers – two each from the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress. However, the distribution seemed temporary in view of the winter session of the state legislature which would begin in Nagpur next Monday.

The ministers would be deputed to respond to the queries and debates, introducing bills and ordinances for approval of the lower and upper houses. Insiders said most of the portfolios would go to new ministers who are likely to be inducted in the last week of December. The Sena has 16 berths (including CM), NCP 15 and Congress 12 in a 43-member council of ministers that will have seniors (Cabinet rank) and juniors (ministers of state).