Fearing that beleaguered Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh would be unable to handle the crisis facing the DF government, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has deputed AICC secretary Subodh Kant Sahay to the city. Sahay, who arrived in Mumbai on Monday, spent his day at Deshmukh’s residence Varsha.The party high command has also set up a three-member crisis management team comprising AICC general secretary in charge of Maharashtra affairs, Vayalar Ravi, Deputy Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Shivraj Patil and Subodh Kant Sahay. The troika were closeted in day-long talks with Deshmukh today.Party sources said that Sonia is perturbed by the crisis and is closely monitoring the situation through the team. Her political advisor, Ambika Soni, too is in touch with the team. Gandhi has directed Ravi to brief her at least a minimum thrice a day.Sources also confirmed that after his second visit to Maharashtra (prior to the crisis) Ravi was aware that the DF government was sitting on a powder keg. He had informed Sonia about the problems facing the state unit.
