Prithviraj Chavan, senior Congress leader and chief minister-elect of Maharashtra, speaks to Saubhadra Chatterjee about the challenges ahead. Edited excerpts:
When did you first hear that you had been picked as the chief minister of Maharashtra?
Early Wednesday morning, at around 5.30 am, I got a call from Congress President Sonia Gandhi. She told me to quickly meet the Prime Minister, as he had to leave for Seoul this morning. I met the Prime Minister at around 9 o’clock, submitted my resignation (from the UPA government) and wrapped up the paper work.
When will you take the oath?
I will be taking the oath on Thursday afternoon.
One major drawback in your political career is that you are considered an outsider in Maharashtra politics because you have spent most of the time in Delhi.
Yes, it’s true that I have spent a lot of time in Delhi. But maybe that's the reason I have been chosen by the High Command. But I have been in politics since 1991. I know many young people have joined politics since then but I am in touch with them.
How will you tackle the various factions in the Maharashtra unit of the Congress?
I think I will get the support of all four former chief ministers. In a political party, it is natural for leaders to have various aspirations. But once the High Command makes a decision, we all abide by it. I don't think I will have to face problems within the Congress quarters. I am also confident of getting full support from our ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
But you are known as someone opposed to NCP chief Sharad Pawar. You have been very critical about him in the past.
That's all right. We have our own party and Sharad Pawar had his own party. Just as they tried to grow, we too, tried to expand our base. In coalition politics, there are limitations. Also, the two parties have contested against each other in the municipal elections even as they were running governments in Mumbai and New Delhi. But I never had any personal problem with Pawar. This morning, he called me up. We spoke over telephone and then I met him. He is very supportive of my new assignment.
What will be your priorities now?
I have not thought about these issues yet. I will consult my senior colleagues and then decide on my course of action. But I will try to give a clean and transparent government to the people.
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Pawar has pitted his nephew Ajit Pawar as the deputy chief minister. He, too, is a Maratha like you and both of you hail from western Maharashtra. He is also known as a strong Maratha leader. How do you look at this development?
It is for NCP to decide whom they want as the deputy chief minister. And I will not get into any discussion on strong or weak leaders.
Will you come to the Assembly getting electedor prefer to be a member of the Legislative Council of Maharashtra?
I have not decided on this issue. I will talk to senior leaders about this. It's too early to say anything on this.
You are seen as the nominee of Rahul Gandhi in the Maharashtra CM's chair.
I don't think I am a nominee of Rahul Gandhi. It is a collective decision of the Congress party and I am a nominee of Sonia Gandhi, the party president.