Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is almost on his way out.
The Congress high command has decided that Chavan who was 10, Janpath's handpicked choice for the post after 26/11 will have to go. But the only question, according to sources, before the Congress is when to show him the door.
While some, which include Chavan's supporters in Delhi, want him to stay on till at least US President Barack Obama's visit to Mumbai on November 6, others in the Congress want him out by Monday.
"Monday is the crucial date for Chavan. If he survives Monday, then he gets breathing space till Obama's visit," said a senior Congress leader.
He said that the reason for Monday being the D-day for
Chavan is based on the talk going on in the Congress leadership.
"If he is sacked by Monday, then the Congress has time to appoint a new chief minister, as there would be hectic lobbying for the post and also dissensions in the party that would need to be managed. So Chavan naturally is trying his best to remain as CM till at least Obama's visit," the leader said, adding that the latter is hoping that the controversy over Adarsh society would die down during Obama's visit.
Meanwhile, the names of Prithviraj Chauhan, Gurudas Kamat, Mukul Wasnik, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushil Kumar Shinde are also doing the rounds for the chief minister's post. Of the lot, the strongest contender is Chauhan.