Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120358170100.htm

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No decision yet on Deshmukh

K.V. Prasad

Beleaguered Chief Minister meets Sonia, discussions will continue

Deshmukh holds talks with Antony
High political activity in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday night heard the beleaguered Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh after the party high command summoned him in the light of its review of the political fallout of the Mumbai terror attacks.

The party will continue the discussions. It has not taken any decision on his offer to resign. The party leadership appears divided, though a section in the set-up strongly advocates a change.

Earlier, with the sword of Damocles hanging over his head, Mr. Deshmukh arrived here and had a meeting with Defence Minister A.K. Antony, who is in charge of the party’s affairs in Maharashtra. He later called on Ms. Gandhi. Mr. Antony and Ahmed Patel, political secretary to the Congress president, were present at the meeting.

“He [Mr. Deshmukh] had already offered to resign. Today, he explained his position and reiterated that he was willing to resign. He said he will abide by whatever decision is taken by the Congress president. We will continue discussions with all concerned and tell you when a decision is taken,” Mr. Antony told journalists outside 10 Janpath.

PCC chief in Delhi

Political activity remained high with leaders from the State arriving here for meetings with the central leadership. Pradesh Congress chief Manikrao Thakre was also here. Senior leader and Kopergaon MP Balasahib Vikhe-Patil had a meeting with Ms. Gandhi. His name was among those under consideration as a possible replacement for Mr. Deshmukh.

The party has been discussing the issue of a new leader in Maharashtra, amid indications that a Maratha leader should be in the saddle at a time when elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly are round the corner.