Amid reports of over half a dozen leaders in the race for the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister, Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, but maintained he not was in contention for the top job.
"No question of it. I am a minister at the Centre," Deshmukh said when asked to comment on the reports that he was also staking his claim for Maharashtra Chief Minister's post.
He added that the party's Central leadership and MLAs will decide the issue of leadership in the state.
About his meeting with Gandhi, Deshmukh said he had come to congratulate the party president for the election victory in Maharashtra.
Mumbai Congress chief Kripashankar Singh, who also met Gandhi separately, made a similar statement regarding his meeting with the Congress president.
"Thank You," he said in lighter vein when asked about reports about him also being in the race.
Apart from Deshmukh, names of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Union ministers Prithiraj Chavan, Sushil Kumar Shinde, senior party leader Narayan Rane and PCC president Manikrao Thackeray are doing the rounds for the top job in the state.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
