In a one-line resolution during the legislature party meeting, all powers to decide on legislature party leader were given to party president Sonia Gandhi. Also, ex-chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday told media persons that he is not in the race for any post at the national or state level.
The central observer and leader of the party in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, along with All-India Congress Committee in-charge for Maharashtra Mohan Prakash, gave an ear to all the MLAs and MLCs. Out of the 42 elected MLAs, 39 were present for the meeting, while 22 MLCs were present.
State unit president Manikrao Thakre told media persons that he proposed a resolution giving all powers to Sonia Gandhi and all the MLAs seconded it. He added that Kharge and Prakash have decided to talk to each legislator separately and submit their report to the central leadership, after which the name of the leader of the party in state assembly would be finalised.
Meanwhile, the MLAs who are known to be loyal to former CM Ashok Chavan, including Abdul Sattar, Sunil Kedar, and Gopal Agrawal, raised their voices against Prithviraj Chavan. Kedar was not allowed to speak, while Agrawal said the number of MLAs has come down from 82 to 42 and it can further go down to 21 if the same leadership prevails. MLA and former minister Vijay Vadettiwar threw his hat in the ring and said Vidarbha should have the opportunity to become leader of the party in the House this time.
Prithviraj Chavan, while speaking to the media informally before the meeting, said he has informed party leadership that he does not want any responsibility. He said he has been holding some or the other post for the last 15 years and now wants to concentrate on his constituency as well as state.
Thakre, while replying to a question, made it clear that whether or not Shiv Sena is part of state Cabinet has nothing to do with Congress deciding its leader. He said if Sena is part of the cabinet, Congress leader of the House would become leader of the Opposition, but, he added, we can't wait for their decision.
