Search:



The Web

Rediff








Home > News > PTI

Maharashtra CM: No decision likely before Dussehera

October 20, 2004 13:14 IST

The issue of Maharashtra chief ministership is unlikely to be resolved before Dussehera, with both the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party persisting with their claim to the top post.

Also Read


Thackeray blames Muslims for Sena's defeat


"A decision is unlikely before October 23 as Union Minister Pranab Mukherjee, [who is] leading the talks on behalf of the Congress, will be in West Bengal for Puja festivities," a leader closely associated with the negotiations said.

Both the Congress and NCP have claimed support of a larger group of MLAs.

Senior leaders, including Maharashtra caretaker Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, All India Congress Committee leaders Margaret Alva and Ahmed Patel, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Prabha Rau and Mumbai Congress chief Gurudas Kamat, discussed the issue at Mukherjee's residence on Tuesday night.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar was also closeted with his party colleague Praful Patel.

The NCP chief has made it clear that if the Congress persists with its claim to the chief minister's post, his party will be happy to provide outside support to its government.

After the October 13 assembly polls in Maharashtra, the NCP, with 71 MLAs, emerged as the single largest party in the state. Congress has 69 seats.

 



Article Tools
Email this article
Top emailed links
Print this article
Write us a letter
Discuss this article




Related Stories


Heptulla's US trip off

Peace will continue: Sonia

Congress glorifying Hitler: BJP








More reports from Maharashtra
Read about: Telgi case | Mumbai blasts


© Copyright 2004 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.










Copyright © 2004 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.