By IANS,
New Delhi : Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan will contest a by-election for a legislative council seat May 4 to become a member of the state legislature, barely a week before the six-month deadline for him to get elected expires.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi Tuesday approved Chavan’s name for the council seat.
“Congress president Sonia Gandhi has approved the candidature of Prithviraj Chavan for the by-election to the Legislative Council of Maharashtra to be elected by MLAs,” a statement issued by party general secretary Oscar Fernandes said.
Chavan became chief minister Nov 11 last year and in accordance with the law he is required to be elected to either of the two houses of the state legislature within six months of assuming office.
The council seat fell vacant after Sanjay Dutt of the Congress resigned to facilitate Prithviraj Chavan’s election. The by-election for the seat is slated for May 4.
Prithviraj Chavan had replaced Ashok Chavan, who resigned as chief minister in the wake of allegations over the Adarsh Housing Society scam.