Cong has many CM contenders for Maharashtra

Suspense is mounting over who will be the chief minister of Maharashtra if the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-led Democratic Front (DF) gets around 140 seats out of the 288 when the results of the Assembly elections are declared on October 22.

Even if the DF comes to power for the third straight time, will Ashok Chavan, chief minister for just under a year, be given the credit for the victory?

Top Congress leaders say Maratha leader and Union Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is keen to return to Mumbai. So is another Union minister — Sushilkumar Shinde.

Chavan has made it known that he is an aspirant for heading the next government. He was in Delhi last week to meet central party leaders days after the October 13 elections. For the record, his predecessor Deshmukh has been maintaining that he is ‘happy’ at the Centre. Shinde, whom Deshmukh succeeded as chief minister after the last polls, is also echoing the same thought.

But being senior leaders of the Congress, Deshmukh and Shinde were entrusted with key responsibilities in the polls. Deshmukh headed the party’s Election Management Committee, while Shinde managed the Campaign Committee.

But in a coalition, the power of the veto on the chief minister could lie with the Congress rather than the NCP. Shiv Sainik-turned-Congressman Narayan Rane has not given up his ambition for the top post.

In the campaigning, Rane had gone to Latur to canvass support for Deshmukh’s son, Amit. The official line of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) as elaborated by party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi is that, “Congress follows an established tradition and we don’t change it day to day like other parties. Our victory is certain. Thereafter, our MLAs will meet and in close consultation with the high command will elect a leader.”

According to a section in the AICC, incumbent Ashok Chavan could have smooth sailing in retaining the post, as the elections have been fought under his leadership as chief minister.