Congress said on Thursday night that its negotiations with NCP on government formation in Maharashtra are over and all issues including portfolios have been settled.

Announcing this after a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister A K Antony, who is in-charge of party affairs in Maharashtra, however, declined to give details of the agreement between the two sides.

Asked when the swearing in of the new government would take place, he said "ask the Chief Minister", Ashok Chavan who was beside him.

However, Congress sources said that the swearing-in is likely to take place on Saturday.

Reacting to Congress announcement, NCP leader and Union Minsiter Praful Patel said "we are happy with the result of the dialogue with the Congress party and we will join the government".