Hooda had reached the airport to catch a return flight to Chandigarh, with an approved list of ministers ostensibly in his pocket, when he was summoned back to meet Sonia Gandhi late in the afternoon as senior leaders continued to knock on the high command’s doors.

According to sources, differences on names as well as the dilemma over how and where to adjust the Independents — who are supporting Hooda “unconditionally” — blocked a solution. Another important factor is the Congress high command’s hope of clinching a deal with Haryana Janhit Congress chief Kuldeep Bishnoi, who is still holding out on the party over a merger. “The exercise (of expansion) is on hold because of Kuldeep and not because of us,” a senior party leader said.

Aware of the Congress desperation, Bishnoi has offered support, even from outside, to strike a hard bargain. In return for a merger, he has set a high price for himself. His demands include deputy chief ministership for self and at least two ministerial berths for his MLAs. Hooda is resistant to the idea of the emergence of a parallel centre of power in his ministry, but unfortunately for him, his stock has gone down following the party’s poorer-than-expected poll performance.

According to sources, the Congress high command is inclined to accept most of Bishnoi’s demands for a stable government. Therefore, it feels it is pointless to fill some slots now and then explore avenues for accommodating new entrants to the party.

As far as the choice from among Congress MLAs is concerned, several names are doing the rounds. They include Ajay Yadav, Kiran Chaudhary, Gita Bhukkal and Savitri Jindal. Two probable names from amongst the Independents are Jaleb Khan and Gopal Kanda. There is total uncertainty over two heavyweights — Randeep Surjewala and Venod Sharma, both former ministers.