Sonia Gandhi authorised to choose next Maharashtra CM

Mukherjee told reporters.

Mukherjee,who was one of the two central party observers along with A K Antony deputed by the Congress high command to the CLP meeting,said “we had some interaction with individual MLAs who wanted to give their views. They have given. Most of them have stated that whatever the high command will decide,they will accept it”.

“Some of them (MLAs) have said that this my individual suggestion. We have noted everything,will report to the Congress President and after obtaining when she will decide it will be communicated to you”,Mukherjee said.

The central observers said they would apprise the Congress President of the sentiments of the legislators and the new leader would be announced after holding consultations with her.

Addressing the meeting Antony and Mukherjee described the controversy over the housing scam,in which Chavan faced charges of nepotism in allotment of flats,as “unfortunate”,sources said.

They said the two leaders told the CLP that Chavan’s resignation was in keeping with the party’s high moral values and tradition.

The resolution authorizing Gandhi to choose the new leader was moved by the outgoing Chief Minister and seconded by Revenue Minister Narayan Rane,Legislative Council Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh and former Chief Minister Shivajirao Patil-Nilangekar,party sources said.

The CLP meeting at Vidhan Bhavan in south Mumbai was attended by Congress central observers Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony.