Chavan downplays talk of leadership change in Maharashtra

Amid speculations that a leadership change may accompany the impending reshuffle of state cabinet, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Friday said not much should be read into the state Congress leaders meeting party chief Sonia Gandhi.

"The high command keeps on meeting leaders from all states and takes its own decisions at an appropriate time....There is no need for consultations while taking decisions (on leadership change)," Chavan told the media.

He was asked to comment on media reports suggesting that he could be shifted back to Delhi during a likely reshuffle at the Centre. The speculations intensified further after state Industries Minister Narayan Rane, also a chief ministerial hopeful, met Gandhi on Friday.

Chavan said a reshuffle of the state's council of ministers will take place before the winter session of the legislature.

"Appointments to various boards and state-run corporations will be done before the reshuffle," he said.

Chavan also said he had asked the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority to issue a "white paper" on its functioning within 30 days.

Chavan, under whom the MMRDA functions, said his decision had nothing to do with Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil's demand for a white paper following the recent collapse of an under-construction metro rail bridge.

"The MMRDA has done good work to improve infrastructure in Mumbai and adjoining towns. The information (about its functioning) should reach the people. A white paper is actually a report to the people. Its wrong to suggest that a white paper is issued to highlight mistakes and wrongdoings ....then it would be called a black paper," he added.

He said MMRDA is already investigating the accident.