Ashok Chavan the new CM of Maharashtra

Mumbai, Dec 5: Ashok Chavan succeeds Vilasrao Deshmukh as the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the Congress announced on Friday, Dec 5 evening.

“This is not the time to celebrate. We have to fight terrorism jointly," said Chavan after the Congress announcement.

Maharashtra state Industries Minister Ashok Chavan has been the hot favourite for CM's post, ever since Deshmukh's resignation began making rounds. Chavan is an MLA from Nanded and the son of the late SB Chavan, who was twice chief minister of the state.

As rumours grew strong about Ashok Chavan's probability as CM, Narayan Rane just minutes before, came all-out attacking Ashok Chavan and refused to work under his leadership.

"Ashok Chavan doesn"t doesn't deserve to be in the race. He cannot handle even his ministry, he can't be my competitor for the CM's post," said Rane in Mumbai. "I am opting out of the Chief Ministerial race," said Rane, accusing the Congress high command of breaking its promise of making him the CM.

The state's top political post fell vacant after Deshmukh was asked to resign by his party in a fall-out after Mumbai terrorist attacks 2008.

Know your CM better...

SB Chavan-Ashok Chavan, the first father-son duo in the state's history to adorn the chief ministerial chair.

Chavan also hails from Marathwada, the region to which his predecessor Vilasrao Deshmukh and former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil belong.

Ashok was the youngest contender for the post of chief minister with Union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan having crossed the age of 60.

Ashok Chavan began his political career, riding piggyback on his father's political clout in 1987 when he was elected to Lok Sabha from Nanded.

In 1999, he was elected as a Member of Legislative Assembly from Mudkhed constituency and inducted as a cabinet minister for Revenue and Protocol.

In 2003, he became minister for Transport, Ports, Cultural Affairs and Protocol.

In November 2004, Chavan became Minister for Industries, Mining, Cultural Affairs & Protocol.

Prior to joining the government, Chavan was was General Secretary of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee from 1995 to 1999.

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