New Delhi, December 2
Despite hours of consultations at the highest possible level, the Congress was unable to arrive at any consensus for the replacement of Maharashra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who had offered to resign in the aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks.
Deshmukh met Congress President Sonia Gandhi today amid speculation of his successor being found among contenders to head the affairs in Maharashtra. He arrived in the Capital in the evening and also met senior party leader Ahmad Patel before leaving for 10 Janpath.
Patel, defence minister A.K. Antony, who is in charge of party affairs in Maharashtra, and external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee were among those present at the meeting between the Congress president and the Maharashtra Chief Minister. However, despite evening-long consultations, Antony came out of Gandhi’s residence around 9 pm, only to tell the waiting mediapersons that discussions were on regarding Deshmukh’s resignation.
Later, Deshmukh said he had apprised the Congress president about the entire incident. “I told her about the entire incident...Where the security and intelligence problems were,” he said. As far as his successor was concerned, he said it was the decision of the high command.
Sources say there is hectic lobbying on in the Congress circles to save Deshmukh, who is perceived as a good fund raiser and political manager. In addition, it could also be a wait-and-watch tactic by the Congress. However, the other point of view is that since R.R. Patil has resigned, Deshmukh has no other option but to go, the only question is when.
Incidentally, Deshmukh dismissed reports that he was lobbying against his removal.
