New Delhi:
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs in Maharashtra have a passed a resolution leaving the choice of deputy chief minister in the Congress-NCP government to party chief, Sharad Pawar.
The resolution was passed at a legislative party meeting on Monday. The party leadership seems inclined to replace Chhagan Bhujbal, an OBC, with a Maratha leader. Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar's nephew is being viewed as frontrunner for the post. Bhujbal, however, remains a contender till an announcement is made.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, senior leaders D P Tripathi, Tariq Anwar and Govindrao Adik had been appointed as observers to oversee the process of electing the NCP leader at the meeting.
Those in the running include:
Ajit Pawar - he is Sharad Pawar's nephew and was the state's water resources minister. He is considered a good administrator.
R R Patil - he is currently the state NCP president. Has earlier served as deputy chief minister and home minister. He was removed as home minister after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Jayant Patil - he was home minister, maintains a low profile. He was a contender for the post in 2004 but was made finance minister instead.
With Ajit Pawar ahead in the race, here's a look also at the Sharad Pawar clan, now in the limelight post the Assembly elections.
Sharad Pawar: NCP President and Union Agriculture Minister. He remains the strongest NCP leader.
Supriya Sule: Sharad Pawar's daughter and Lok Sabha MP. She won from Baramati, her father's constituency, in the last general elections.
Ajit Pawar: Many-time state cabinet minister, running for the deputy CM's post. He has Sharad Pawar's full backing - his uncle has been quoted as saying Ajit Pawar has proved his mettle for the last 20 years and won five Assembly elections.
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Assembly polls: Detailed results)