New Delhi: Manmohan Singh would be sworn-in this evening (May 22, 2004) as Prime Minister heading the first ever Congress-led coalition Government at the Centre along with about 60 member Council of Ministers.

President A P J Abdul Kalam will administer the oath of office and secrecy to 71-year old Singh at a function in Ashok Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan at 5.30 hrs (IST), bringing Congress back to power after a gap of nine years. Singh will be the 14th Prime Minister.

Among the Congress hopefuls for ministerial berths are Pranab Mukherjee, Natwar Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kamal Nath and Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.

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While Singh is expected to retain the Finance portfolio, Mukherjee is likely to get Home and Natwar Singh External Affairs.

Among the allies likely to be inducted in the ministry are Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel (both NCP), Laloo Prasad Yadav and Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (both RJD), Dayanidhi Maran, T R Balu and A Raja (all DMK), Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan.

The Left parties, SP and BSP are extending outside support to the United Progressive Alliance Government.

Singh had a marathon six-hour meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi that continued till early this morning to finalise the Council of Ministers.