Cong may reach understanding with NCP on Council Chairman post

Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan today said the party may agree to give up the post of Chairman of Legislative Council in a bargain for Deputy Chairman's post.
NCP, the largest party in the upper house of Maharashtra legislature has moved a no-trust motion against the veteran Congress leader Shivajirao Deshmukh, the present Chairman.
Congress has 22 members in the house whereas NCP has 28.
Chavan, who visited the city unit of Congress today after his recent appointment as state Congress head, said the party was ready to sort out the issue with NCP, its former ruling alliance partner.
During the winter session of the state legislature, Congress, which has one more MLA than NCP, staked claim for Leader of Opposition (LoP) post and got it.

Chavan said his party wanted Deshmukh to continue as he was a very senior leader.
"But if the NCP insists on pursuing its claim, we can agree, provided Congress gets the Deputy Chairman's post," he said.
Meanwhile, Chavan shared the dais with BJP leader and Union Minister for Shipping and Transport Nitin Gadkari at a function at Mouda near here where a statue of the former Chief Minister, late Vilasrao Deshmukh was unveiled.