With so many potential CMs involved, who’ll replace Chavan

Nov 07, 2010 - Mukesh Ranjan |

New Delhi

Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan appears to be safe at least for now, as the Congress high command has decided not to take any action till US president Barack Obama completes his visit to India. However, a race to replace the chief minister has hotted up in the party with many senior Congress leaders from Maharashtra setting their eyes on the top job in the state.
“You may have some news on Maharashtra, but not before November 8,” a senior Congress official said when asked about Mr Chavan’s fate in the wake of Adarsh Society scam.
The Congress high command has tactically bought some time to decide on the chief minister’s fate by appointing a two-member committee comprising finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and defence minister A.K. Antony to look into the raging controversy involving Mr Chavan.
The move, a section of the party believes, reflects the dilemma of the Congress high command on whom to pick as a replacement for Mr Chavan in Mumbai. “Most of the candidates on the shortlist are either involved in the same scam or are lightweights vis-à-vis Maratha strongman and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, the alliance partner in the state,” party sources said, adding that the leadership’s concern is not limited only to find a replacement, but also to choose one who could keep Mr Pawar under check.
Several names including that of minister of state in the PMO Prithviraj Chavan, power minister Sushilkumar Shinde and social welfare minister Mukul Wasnik are doing the rounds in the party circle. “If at all the Congress president decides to drop Mr Chavan, he would be replaced either by a senior Maratha in the party or by a dalit,” the senior functionary said.
The postponement of a decision on the issue indicate that Mr Prithviraj Chavan, a Maratha, may be picked-up for the top job, as his role in his present capacity is crucial during Mr Obama’s visit. However, sources in the party do not rule out chances of a dalit — Mr Shinde or Mr Wasnik — becoming the chief minister.

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