For one thing, the Prime Minister is credited with the view that the economic agenda being pursued by his government must continue unhindered. Sinha lent a strong hand to the agenda as finance minister in his last budget, pushing reforms ahead, apart from giving new dynamism to sagging economic climate in the country.

The government formation is going to be a ticklish exercise for Vajpayee considering the fact that he has to reconcile the interests of two dozen allies. Distribution of other economic portfolios in particular may not prove easy for him.

Assuming that he gives finance to Sinha, Vajpayee may be required to strike a delicate balance by handing over portfolios like industry or petroleum to allies.

Even though the TDP and the DMK have not formally decided on joining the new government yet, the BJP sources said they would most likely do so. In that case the TDP as the second largest party in the NDA and the DMK, also with sizeable strength in Lok Sabha, will have to be given key portfolios. Significantly, the business lobby in Andhra is reportedly pushing for TDP to joint the Vajpayee government.

In the event of TDP joining the ministry, sources said the party leader in the last Lok Sabha Yerran Naidu will be the most likely choice as Petroleum or Agriculture Minister. Luckily for Vajpayee, present incumbent Vazapadi Ramamurthy of the TRC has lost the election. Hence a natural vacancy.

The crucial ministry of industry, in that case, may go to DMK whose senior leader Murasoli Maran had already held this portfolio during the United Front rule. This would necessitate finding another berth for senior BJP member and leader of the Rajya Sabha Sikander Bakht.

Commerce is yet another key portfolio that may be up for grab, sources averred. This is because present incumbent R K Hegde is no longer considered a favourite, specially after the current poll. Hegde, after all, has been proved wrong in Karnataka by getting J H Patel into the NDA on the eve of the elections. BJP-JD (U) combine has been virtually mouled in Karnataka apparently due to anti-incumbency anger.

Commerce, it is said, may go to George Fernandes who is most likely to be shifted from defence. According to BJP sources, the party was not happy with the way he handled the sensitive defence Ministry during the Kargil crisis. Vajpayee is likely to give defence to one of his party confidants.