Bhujbal named Maharashtra Deputy CM

As the Congress party is struggling to reach a general consensus over the name of new chief minister of Maharashtra, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday announced the name of Chhagan Bhujbal as the next Deputy Chief Minister of the state.

Senior party leader Sharad Pawar announced the name of Bhujbal and also gave him the additional task of Home department. He succeeded RR Patil, who had resigned five days ago owing ‘moral responsibility’ for last week’s terror attacks in Mumbai.

Bhujbal, presently holds the Public Works Department portfolio, was also in charge with the same portfolio in the previous Congress-NCP coalition government in 1999 but had to quit after a controversy.

Meanwhile, Ashok Chavan the present Industries Minister in the state has emerged as the most likely successor of outgoing Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who had quit following widespread criticism of his government’s failure to counter terrorism.

Senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee and Maharashtra in-charge, A K Anthony have given a hint to announce the name of new chief minister by this evening.