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Ashok Chavan meets Sonia, Antony

Ashok Chavan

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra’s Chief Minister-designate Ashok Chavan on Sunday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi along with outgoing Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh ahead of his swearing-in on Monday.

Mr. Chavan and Ms. Gandhi discussed government formation in the State amid rebellion by suspended Congress leader and Revenue Minister Narayan Rane. Mr. Deshmukh was also present.

Mr. Chavan also held hectic parleys with Defence Minister and in-charge of Maharashtra affairs A.K. Antony, along with Mr. Deshmukh.

It is understood that most of the Ministers in the Deshmukh Cabinet will be retained.

Later, Mr. Chavan told reporters that he did not see any possible threat from Mr. Rane to his government following the latter’s claims that he enjoyed the support of 25 MLAs. “There is no threat from Rane,” he said.

Asked about Mr. Rane’s criticism of his credentials, Mr. Chavan said he did not need any certificate from Mr. Rane and his actions would speak for him in the coming days. “I am an old Congressman and have even represented the party in the Lok Sabha. I have also held various portfolios in the Congress governments and handled different responsibilities in the past.”

Mr. Chavan said the Assembly session, scheduled to begin on December 11, was being postponed in view of the government formation exercise. The Business Advisory Committee of the Assembly would meet on Monday to decide on new dates.

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