Chavan says "highly honoured and humbled" in taking over as 17th Maharashtra CM

New Delhi, Nov.10 (ANI): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs, Prithviraj Chavan, on Wednesday said that he was humbled and honoured to be asked by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take charge as the 17th chief minister of Maharashtra.

"This morning, Mr. A.K. Anthony informed me that the Congress president has chosen me to lead Maharashtra. I requested the prime minister to relieve me from the responsibilities of the union government and he has blessed me," Chavan told reporters here.

He said he was "highly honoured and humbled" by the fact that the Congress leadership and the MLAs of Maharashtra had called upon him "to undertake the responsibility of heading the government of Maharashtra at this important juncture".

"I seek the cooperation and support of all and I promise that I will do my best to give leadership to the state, an eminent state in the country," Chavan said, adding that he would be leaving for Mumbai by Wednesday evening. (ANI)