Prithviraj Chavan, Tarun Gogoi's political fate in limbo, Congress could replace them

NEW DELHI: The fate of Congress chief ministers of Maharashtra and Assam, Prithviraj Chavan and Tarun Gogoi, are hanging in the balance. AICC interlocutors who have been dealing with inner-party rebellion against the two chief ministers after the party’s poor show in the Lok Sabha elections in the two states have formally informed Sonia Gandhi that Chavan and Gogoi have lost support of majority Congress leaders and MLAs.

They have told her that majority of the state leaders were pressing for replacing the two "at the earliest." The final decision will be taken by party chief Sonia Gandhi. Prithviraj Chavan met Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday and pleaded his case. Sources close to him said, the CM "is hopeful of surviving."

On the other hand, Ashok Chavan, a leader from the rival side, also held talks with Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday. Senior leader Radhakrishna Vijhe Patil's name is also doing the rounds for the post of CM or PCC chief.

Though there have also been increasing demand for the removal of Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, interlocutors have recommended his continuation. Assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra are due in a few months.

"The feeling of majority Congress leaders in Assam and Maharshtra have been formally placed before the Congress president. It has been left to Soniaji to take the final call on whether Gogoi and Chavan should be allowed to continue or not. She is expected to clear the air on the issue soon", said a Congress leader involved in the exercise.

NCP, Congress’ ally in Maharashtra, too has been seeking the removal of Chavan ahead of the October assembly elections.

"Under Chavan’s leadership, Congress stands no chance in assembly polls. Sometime last month, Congress had informed us that he will be replaced. But within days, it changed its mind. It is important AICC comes out of its own confusion," a NCP leader said.