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"Rane's name has been okayed by the high command, with AICC in-charge for Maharashtra, A K Antony backing Rane for the post. What's more, even NCP, Congress' alliance partner, is amenable to the move," party sources said on Thursday.
Other names discussed were that of Union Ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan and senior leader Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, the sources said.
"Pawar opposed Vikhe Patil's name and was also not agreeable on Chavan," the sources said.
The name of other contender, state Industries Minister Ashok Chavan, was not discussed much, they added. Rane, a former Sena CM, is among the prominent detractors of Deshmukh, who is into his second term as Chief Minister.
Pranab, Antony are 'observers'
Senior Congress leaders Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony left for Mumbai as central observers of the party to oversee the election of a successor to Vilasrao Deshmukh who has been asked to step down in the wake of the terror attacks in the metropolis.
"Both of us are going as observers," Antony said on Wednesday morning.
Mukherjee had said on that views of the MLAs on the leadership issue will be sought at the meeting of the state Congress Legislature Party.
Mukherjee had declined to hazard any guess as to who would be next Chief Minister and whether he would be a Dalit or from the Maratha community.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar is also expected to go to Mumbai for consultations with state party leaders. Pawar has been authorized by the NCP legislature party to name its leader to succeed R R Patil as the next deputy chief minister.
Maharashtra was minus a Chief Minister on Wednesday night after the Congress leadership accepted the resignation of Vilasrao Deshmukh but delayed a decision on his replacement.
Congress sources indicated that Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Minister of State in PMO Prithviraj Chavan, who had earlier been considered serious contenders, were more or less out of the race as the party wanted a leader active in the state for the top job.
Rane, the sources said, was the front runner since he also had the blessings of Sharad Pawar, chief of ally NCP. Deshmukh and Rane have had a running battle with the latter sniping at the CM openly, even seeking his removal.
It is learnt that the NCP was agreeable to Shinde as CM but the Congress wanted a Maratha leader.
Prithviraj Chavan was not acceptable to the NCP since he comes from Karad in the NCP bastion of western Maharashtra and the party views him as a threat. The NCP also considers Ashok Chavan “too junior”.
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It would have been much more better if the HIGH COMMAND has chosen Dawood as the Chief Minister atleast he will stop all his terror activities in India HA HA HA
Good choice by the HIGH COMMAND an ineffective spineless person is being replaced by a GOONDA Very Good the people of Maharastra are the affected lot .Pity on them
AN OPPORTUNIST AND A DEVIOUS CRIMINAL JUST LIKE SONIA AND MANMOHAN
RANE IS AN OPPRTUNIST YOU COULD SEEIS FACE BEAMING,IT DOES NOT BEHOVE A SINCERE MAN HE IS DEVIOUS LIKE HIS MENTORS SONIA AND MANMOHAN PEOPLE OF MUMBAI BEWARE
It is plasing to lear that Rane is considered for the post as he does not belong to any family of past politicians. Chavan wud hv being a falior like his late father. GOOD SENSE PREVAIL!!! JAI HIND
A sad day for Maharashtra as a once upon a time goonda becomes a Chief Minister. Even Bihar is better. What are we coming too? Please ask the poeple of Chembur about Narayan Rane and his "Harya-Narya" gang of yesteryears
Congress is not only pro-terrorist, it is also rabidly communal. International community will do a great service to humanity by branding congress a terrorist organization like LeT
The High Command will appoint some joker who is close to the FAMILY as Maharastra C.M and these two ministers will say yes to whatever the HIGH COMMAND says. The High Command took EIGHT days after the massacare to ask Mr Deshmukh to resign from the post of C.M .The people of India can imagine how long will it take for the Congress government to respond to a emergency situation like the terrorists attack or some other calamity in our country???????????
How come a politician by switching parties can become a secualrist from a non-secularist overnight. This is absolutely ridiculous.
We have not learnt any lesson.The next chief minister of maharashtra will not be decided on the basis of his credibility but based on his caste!They are already bickering for the plum post!!
These Jokers are at it again.......... both the Defense
No leader looks capable, honest and loyal to hold Maharashtra CM post. Sonia Gandhi is taking advantage of the situation and making changes to the Maharashtra govt. UPA govt has two worthless entities now 1> Afzal Guru and 2> Kasab. If times comes, Sonia gandhi will make one Home minister and second Defence minister. No political party is the best choice. However, BJP is acceptable. Congress is uselss nad pro terrorists.
BJP is also as bad as the Congress is. Sonia, Manmohan, Advani, Modi all are jokers. Why dosent ADvani send his son to fight in the borders against Pakistan?
Mr Rane will be the good option for CM , but he will not CM. He can do better for Mumbai but not suitable for Cong - NCP Alliance. But both Parties are concern for next election. So with respect to election Mr Sushilkumar Shinde Will be the 1st Choice. Because 1) He is Dalit -- Criteria to catch Vote Bank2) Non Aggressive- 3) Close to Madam 4) Will not create problem to NCP5) Follows Delhi Guidelines 6) Most importantly can handle Media Properly