New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) Racing against time to put in place a coalition government in Maharashtra by November 3, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan tonight held a series of meetings with top Congress leaders on sharing of ministerial berths and key portfolios with its ally NCP which both parties claim.

The talks on sharing of berths and critical portfolios have been deadlocked and it has been more than a week since the results of the assembly elections were announced that the logjam remains.

Chavan held meetings with Ahmad Patel, political secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Defence Minister A K Antony who is also incharge of party affairs in Maharashtra.

Congress has won 82 seats while NCP 62 in the assembly elections held earlier this month.

Citing the difference in the number of seats, Congress has demanded a larger share in the government.