Congress pondering how to send Chavan to Legislative Council

Mumbai, Feb 16 (PTI) The Congress is looking for a seatfor Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who hasdeclared that he would enter the State legislature bycontesting a by-election to the State Legislative Council.

Chavan was a Rajya Sabha MP before he was sent toMaharashtra to replace Ashok Chavan following the Adarsh scam.

From the MLAs quota, terms of sitting Congress MLCsSanjay Dutt, Hussain Dalwai, Dipti Chaudhari and Vijay Sawantwould last till July 2016.

Congress sources said that in all probability, Chavanwill be fielded from MLAs quota seat, and MLC Sanjay Duttcould be asked to quit to make vacancy.

State Congress president Manikrao Thakre has only 11months'' tenure left as an MLC, so it is unlikely that he willbe asked to vacate seat for the Chief Minister.

Dalwai was denied a ministerial berth at the last momentwhen Chavan took over in December, and since now he has beenpromised a ministry, he may not be asked to resign as MLC,party sources said.

"Vijay Sawant, though a Congressman, was elected as anindependent MLC. Dipti Chaudhari who was given the MLC ticketbeing an OBC and a woman has no organisational backgroundother than being a Pune mayor some years ago," sources said,while discussing who could be asked to resign. .