Dhumal, who left for Delhi yesterday, along with BJP’s senior vice-president Shanta Kumar, today held two rounds of discussion with the party high command. Party’s incharge for Himachal Satya Pal Jain and BJP state chief Jairam Thakur were also present.

Party insiders in Delhi said the final list of MLAs who will be inducted in the ministry will be ready by tomorrow morning before Dhumal returns to Shimla. The portfolios given to the ministers will also be finalised in Delhi.

“At least five or six names have already been discussed and approved. The party has not yet decided whether to make Jairam Thakur a minister or induct young blood in the ministry and use his services in the organisation. If he joins the government, the party could entrust the organisation’s job to another suitable person,” said a senior BJP leader, who was present in the meeting.

The name of the speaker has also not been cleared. The names of Gulab Singh Thakur, a former speaker; Roop Singh Thakur, a former minister, and Suresh Bhardwaj, a sitting Rajya Sabha member and Shimla MLA, are being discussed. The Dhumal camp late in the evening also hinted at the name of Rikhi Ram Koundal for the speaker’s post.

Gulab Singh Thakur, who played a crucial role in formation of the Dhumal led BJP-HVC government in 1998, is, however, keen on joining the government. He is also a close relative of Dhumal. His seniority and merit could surely earn him a slot as seniormost minister after Dhumal if he is inducted in the Cabinet.

The Chief Minister, sources close to him said, would be accommodating most of the party seniors to give a fair representation to all regions and castes. “It’s going to be a right mix of experience and merit. At least two new faces are expected to be chosen,” said a BJP senior leader from Delhi.

Some of the names cleared today include J.P. Nadda, Krishan Kapoor, Ramesh Dhawala, Roop Singh Thakur, Mohinder Singh and Hari Narain Saini.

Dhumal will have a choice to name one woman MLA as minister and induct at least one new face. Narinder Bragta, a former horticulture minister, who won the Jubbal-Kotkhai seat, is also seen as a hot choice for getting a Cabinet berth.

Though the total size of the ministry will be 12, Dhumal is understood to have proposed a small-sized ministry, leaving scope for future expansion. This will also help him in closely monitoring the performance of the ministers and make suitable changes later.

Veteran party MLA and leader of the BJP group in the earlier House, Ishwar Dass Dhiman, who has already been recommended for protem speaker, may be inducted later if the Chief Minister decides so.