Deshmukh returns from New Delhi

The Congress party in Maharashtra continues to be a divided entity as the race for the hot seat of chief ministership continues though Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has returned from New Delhi with a nod from the party high command to carry on.

The situation became a little too uneasy for Deshmukh as the speculation of his remaining in power became a burning topic in the media and his dissidents in the party became more restive.

Moreover, a warning letter to Congress party president Sonia Gandhi from 11 independent ministers that they would withdraw their support to the Democratic Front if Deshmukh was replaced made the chief minister rush to Delhi to make his own explanation.

After a meeting with Sonia, Deshmukh returned relieved to the state capital since the party president had shown full confidence in him.

He is reported to have appraised Sonia how the speculation of change in state leadership in the media would affect the stability of the government, especially since the political climate was already one of uncertainty.

A confident Deshmukh commented to a local paper, "Many people are aspiring for many things. I cannot satisfy everybody."