Deshmukh meets Rahul

Amid speculation about a change of guard in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh met AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday. Deshmukh later said that the meeting was 8220;positive8221; and Rahul appreciated the work done by Deshmukh during 2002 election in Gujarat.

Deshmukh8217;s close aides argued that given the fact that Assembly election in the neighbouring state is just about six weeks away, the Congress High Command might not like any change of guard in Maharashtra immediately. The beleaguered Chief Minister was learnt to have conveyed to Rahul Gandhi that he would campaign vigorously for the party in Gujarat. The Amethi MP assured Deshmukh that he would visit Maharashtra and address a youth rally soon.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Prabha Rau, a known Deshmukh-baiter, was also learnt to have sought an appointment with Rahul.