By NNN-PTI,
Mumbai/New Delhi : The list of political casualities in the aftermath of the audacious Mumbai terror attacks expanded on Monday with the resignation offer by Maharashtra state Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh while his deputy and Home Minister R R Patil quit the post.
Union Ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan emerged as the front runner for the chief minister’s post and the Congress party was in consultations with alliance partner NCP before it can decide on the new nominee for the top post in the state.
“I offered to resign at the CWC meeting (on Saturday) if any responsibility lies on the Chief Minister. Whatever decision the high command and my leader takes, I will abide by it,” 63-year-old Deshmukh told a news conference here, a day after Union Home Minsiter Shivraj Patil was eased out of the Cabinet.
Asked whether he has sent his resignation, Deshmukh said “I am telling you in very, very simple words. You are intelligent enough to understand.”
Immediately, a race began between 67-year-old Power Minister Shinde, a dalit, and Minister of State Chavan, a Maratha five years younger.
Shinde, who had replaced Deshmukh before the 2004 Assembly elections, is said to be favoured by the NCP in preference to Chavan.
Intense discussions were on in the Congress party with Sonia Gandhi holding consultations with senior party leaders including Home Minister P Chidambaram, Defence Minister A K Antony, who said since the issue involved allies in a coalition a decision may be taken in a day or two.