Veteran Congressman Anantrao Thopte will take Madhukar Pichad's position as CLP leader in the Legislative Assembly while Ranjit Deshmukh -- once a Sharad Pawar protege -- will replace Chhagan Bhujbal in the legislative council.

However, CLP leaders does not make them leaders of Opposition in the legislative houses as the decreased strength of the Congress in both houses does not give it the status of the main opposition party. Of the 77 Congress MLAs, 45 have declared allegiance to the NCP making it the largest Opposition block in the assembly while 15 of the 27 MLCs are with the Pawar group inthe council.

Surupsinh Naik and Manikrao Thakre will be deputy leaders in the Legislature while Rohidas Patil has been elected as the chief whip in the Assembly and Anil Patel in the Legislative Council. Sunil Tatkare will be the party treasurer. All appointments were made in a friendly spirit, said a party spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the formal declaration of Bhujbal as the state NCP president as also other appointments planned by the new party have been delayed due to legal formalities. However, it is certain that Bhujbal will hold the position despite other front-rank leaders making a claim. His OBC origin will be an asset for the party while his status as MLC means that he will not have to worry about fighting election and can concentrate fully on building the new party.