As the Congress-NCP combine backed by independents prepared to stake claim to form the government in Goa, the decision about the deputy chief minister's post is likely to be the bone of contention between the two parties.

Sharad Pawar-led NCP, the third largest party in the newly elected 40-member assembly, is expected to lay its claim for the post.

The NCP leaders, during pre-election press conferences, had made it amply clear that if voted to power, the party, which has won three seats, will seek the deputy CM's post.

In the absence of Goa NCP chief Wilfred D'souza, who lost to BJP candidate in Saligao constituency, party legislator Fransisco Pacheco is the likely choice for the number two position in the new Congress-led Cabinet.

When the Congress Legislature Party meets on Tuesday evening to elect its leader to head the next government, the choice for Deputy CM will remain a crucial issue for the party.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Anil Salgaoncar, who is being roped in to help the Congress-led coalition reach the magical figure of 21, has apparently demanded a bigger post.

"There are talks of him asking for the Speaker's post or Deputy Chief Ministership," a Congress leader said.