Sonia has Chavan as Maha CM & Rane as headache

A section of the Congress led by CM-hopeful Narayan Rane revolted in Maharashtra today after the party leadership announced the name of Ashok Chavan

A section of the Congress led by CM-hopeful Narayan Rane revolted in Maharashtra today after the party leadership announced the name of Ashok Chavan, an MBA-turned-politician who was industries minister in the outgoing Vilasrao Deshmukh cabinet and the son of late Union Minister S B Chavan, for the top job. Lengthy deliberations, lobbying and a stalemate had prevented Congress observers last night from announcing Deshmukh’s replacement.

Earlier this morning, the NCP announced the name of Chhagan Bhujbal as Deputy Chief Minister, mounting pressure on the Congress to decide fast.

Speaking to reporters at his residence, a furious Rane expressed no-confidence in Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the leadership and accused it of “reneging” on the promise to make him Chief Minister.

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“Ashok Chavan cannot be my competitor. They (party) should have forwarded my name. All this is a drama. There was no need for it. I have been a chief minister and the state and whole nation knows my record and what administration I provided.”

Rane, who joined Congress three years ago and was openly critical of Deshmukh despite being his Revenue Minister, ridiculed the former CM and Chavan. Asked if he was leaving Congress, he said, “I will do that at an appropriate time. I don’t trust even Sonia Gandhi anymore.”

He said Chavan “cannot even handle his own ministry and cannot be my competitor” for the CM’s post.

Congress observers A K Antony and Pranab Mukherjee, who met party legislators to arrive at a consensus, left for Delhi without announcing a name because Rane refused to work under Chavan.