Prithviraj Chavan stays dear to Congress despite Lok Sabha election rout

MUMBAI: Ignoring the worst-ever humiliation in the recently-held Lok Sabha elections under his leadership and calls for his ouster by some party leaders as well as alliance partner NCP, the Congress high command has decided to stick with Prithviraj Chavan and face the Assembly polls with him helming Maharashtra, a decision that has baffled many in state political circles.

Congress General Secretary and observer for Maharashtra Mohan Prakash said on Friday evening that there’s no question of changing Chavan before the Assembly elections scheduled for October this year.

This came amidst reports that senior Congress ministers from Chavan’s Cabinet were trying to convince the party vice-president Rahul Gandhi to replace him.

But the leadership was reportedly unmoved and even instructed these leaders to cooperate with the Chief Minister. “It’s not just Chavan’s proximity to the first family of the Congress that has ensured his survival, but lack of any credible alternative and the perception that Chavan is a clean leader that has made the leadership go with him,” said an Congress MLC on the condition of anonymity.

State industries minister Narayan Rane, Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat and State Congress Committee President Manikrao Thakre were leading the ‘anti-Chavan’ campaign in Delhi.

Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who is eyeing the CM’s post, also critised Chavan. These leaders had assumed that Chavan would be replaced after the poll debacle, but have now been told to fall in line by the party bosses.