'I will abide by high command's directives': Deshmukh

Mumbai, Dec 26 (UNI) Facing criticism from his cabinet and party colleague Narayan Rane over the functioning of the state government, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said he will abide by the directives of his party leadership.

Replying to questions from newspersons, Mr Deshmukh who was in Navi Mumbai to attend a function organised by Co-operation Minister Dr Patangrao Kadam, said Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who yesterday declared his willingness to enter state politics if the high command wished so, was a loyal congressman.

''Similarly, I will also abide by directives of the leadership and take up any post given to me,''he said.

The Chief Minister was responding to queries about speculation about his reported imminent exit from his present post and union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, saying that he was not averse to returning to state politics if the leadership wanted him to do so.

UNI