New Delhi, May 21 2009: Twenty-four hours ahead of the swearing-in of Manmohan Singh as the prime minister for a second consecutive term with his team of ministers, the Congress was on Thursday engaged in hectic parleys with its key coalition partner, the DMK, over allocation of ministerial berths.

Talks between the two parties have broken down with DMK leader T R Baalu saying that the Congress formula of giving out ministries was unacceptable to them.

Baalu announced the breakdown of talks after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called up DMK chief M Karunanidhi who conveyed his rejection of the Congress proposal.

"The Congress' proposal is not acceptable to us; there was no formula on establishment of government in 2004.DMK will give outside to UPA," Baalu said.

The DMK wants a repeat of the 2004 formula when for every three MPs, the DMK got one ministry.

It has also demanded the so-called ATM or wet ministries - the ministeries where the most money can be made.

It had made a bid for key ministries including surface transport, railways, IT and communications and tourism.

The party is pressing for three of their members being made Cabinet ministers, three minister of states and one more post - seven in all.

It has demanded ministries for A Raja, T R Baalu, Dayanidhi Maran and possibly one for Karunanidhi's son Azahgiri.

It has also demanded an MoS for Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimohzi.

However, DMK has just 18 MPs and so its bargaining power has decreased with Congress having 206 MPs and the Congress has refused to agree to their demands, saying the situation of 2009 is very different from what it was in 2004 .

Congress party says it is willing to concede to two Cabinet ministries and four ministers of states.

The Congress already has a problem with T R Baalu and A Raja and is not willing to give in to this demand.

Congress leaders are also trying to put forth the Trinamool Congress example which has asked for only one Cabinet berth.

"Their demand is unacceptable as it is more that what we are ready to give.

So the talks have broken down.

It was proposed that status quo should be maintained.

But they did not relent so this stalemate.

But we will continue to talk as they are our allies," said Congress spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi.

The DMK Executive Council will meet in Chennai on Friday to discuss the future course of action.

Party insiders claim they are worried as the Congress has been arm twisting the Tamil Nadu government.

Sources however, say that the swearing-in ceremony to go on as scheduled.

They say that Congress may leave some ministries for the DMK and a second round of the swearing-in ceremony may be held for DMK nominees.

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