CM rules out possibility of change in leadership

Mumbai, Dec 21 (UNI) Against the backdrop of Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane's outburst about the functioning of the State Government, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has ruled out any possibility of change in the leadership.

Reacting to Mr Rane's statements in Delhi about functioning of Maharashtra Government, Mr Deshmukh said ''Party high command is well aware of everything and it will take its own decision.'' Two-and-a-half years ago, the then Shiv Sena strong man, Mr Rane joined Congress and became the Revenue Minister.

Mr Rane was instrumental in securing the resignation of eight Shiv Sena MLA's and a MP. He succeeded in getting seven MLAs elected as Congress candidates. Despite all this, Mr Deshmukh continued to be firmly in the saddle and recently completed three years in his second tenure.

Mr Deshmukh, on the other hand, maintained that all the decisions of the state Cabinet were unanimous and individuals could voice their own opinion.

UNI