Mumbai/ New Delhi: Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan has been named as the next Chief Minister of Maharahstra. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced that Chavan has been named by Congress President Sonia Gandhi to take over the top job in Maharashtra following the resignation of Ashok Chavan following allegations of his involvement in the multi-crore Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society scam.
The decision was taken by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who had been authorised by the Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party to choose Ashok Chavan’s successor.
“Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party had authorises Congress President Sonia Gandhi to decide the next chief minister of Mahrashtra. The Congress Legislative Party said it would back Sonia’s choice. This morning she has selected Prithviraj Chavan as the new leader of the Congress Legislative Party,” Mukherjee said in New Delhi on Wednesday morning.
Chavan said he accepted the party’s decision and will work for the betterment of all the people living in the state.
“This morning Congress High Command and AK Antony gave me the responsibility of being the chief minister of Maharashtra. I will try to take everyone’s advice and work for the betterment of Maharahstra. I accept the post with humility,” Chavan said while address the media after being named as the next chief minister of the state.
“Prime Minister has relieved me of my responsibilities in the Cabinet. I will try to meet various party leaders in Delhi. I plan to leave for Mumbai sometime today,” he said.
He is likely to be sworn-in as new Maharashtra Chief Minister on Thursday.
Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi is seen as the man who backed Chavan for the chief ministership of Maharashtra.
Considered to be a strong Sonia loyalist, Chavan has represented the Karad Lok Sabha seat for many years. In 2002, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha and is also one of Prime Minister’s troubleshooters.
He did his BE from BITS, Pilani and MS (ME) from University of California,Berkeley (USA).
Ashok Chavan was forced to resign on Tuesday by the Congress President.