Mumbai (PTI): With Assembly polls slated later this year, the Maharashtra Government has decided to retain city crime branch chief Rakesh Maria in the same post despite his promotion, a source from the Home Department said on Monday.

"The government is no mood to change crime branch chief in the city, which has always been target of terrorists as Assembly elections are round the corner," the source said.

Besides, there are also many contenders who are already lobbying for the post and at the time of polls the government does not want to trigger a race for it, the source added.

The elections are scheduled in mid-October.

Home Minister Jayant Patil on Saturday had said that Mumbai crime branch chief Rakesh Maria would continue to remain on the same post even after his promotion as Additional Director General.

Joint Police Commissioner Maria, who holds the rank of an Inspector General (IG) of Police, has completed three-year tenure as the city crime branch chief and is due for promotion as Additional Director General.

"Mr. Maria is doing a commendable job and we will continue him on the same post. We will upgrade the post so that Mr. Maria stays there even after his promotion," Mr. Patil had said.