Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is all set for a cabinet reshuffle and expansion in the coming days.
Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is all set for a cabinet reshuffle and expansion in the coming days.
The biggest hurdle in carrying on Deshmukh’s way was AICC general secretary Margaret Alva, who did not allow Deshmukh a free hand in effecting changes in the state cabinet. After central leadership of Congress divested her of the Maharashtra affairs, the decks are clear for Deshmukh to conduct the necessary changes. Alva who kicked off the ticket for sale controversy has stepped down as AICC general secretary in charge of Maharashtra last week.
Deshmukh who was in Delhi a couple of days ago, has been assured of total cooperation from AICC to take corrective measures in the administration to refurbish the image of the Democratic Front government. The assembly elections in Maharashtra for 288 seats are scheduled in September 2009.
At a meeting held in Mantralaya, the chief minister said, “The appointment of union defence minister AK Anthony as in charge of Maharashtra augurs well for state administration as well the party. Being the former chief minister of Kerala, Anthony is very well acquainted with the working of state administration. This will be a great help for us.”
A senior Congress minister present at the meeting disclosed, “Alva always worked to make decision-making difficult for Deshmukh. She never engaged in dialogue, but dictated terms when it came to appointments of chairman of mahamandals (corporations) or ministers. He blatant anti-Deshmukh positioning had stalled the organisation process.”
Deshmukh has indicated that he is not interested in just filling up three vacant berths in Congress quota unless he is allowed to conduct reshuffle which requires dropping non-performing ministers from the cabinet.
Topping the list of non-performers are education minister Vasant Purke, textile minister Satish Chaturvedi, dairy development minister Anees Ahmed and junior minister for rural development Ranjit Kamble.
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