Who Will Head Congress Now?

With the recent expose of Maharashtra State Congress chief Manikrao Thakre taking money from ministers and Chief Minister himself, the issue of appointing a new state congress president has taken curious turn. The issue was deliberated by Congress president Sonia Gandhi at a meeting with senior party leaders yesterday.

Maharashtra Congress has already authorised her to nominate the new PCC chief. Manikrao Thakre, who is eyeing a re-election to the post or a ministerial birth, was seen discussing collection of funds from Congress Ministers in Maharashtra for Sonia's rally in Sewagram yesterday. 'CM Ashok Chavan has no willingness to part with money,' was caught saying on camera after a press conference.

The controversy has deteriorated his chances of re-election and automatically makes him out of contest for ministerial berth. The Opposition has attacked the Congress over the issue and demanded a judicial probe into the alleged fund collection by Maharashtra Congress leaders.