Change in state leadership 'rumours': Shinde

Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, whose name is doing the rounds as a contender for the post of Maharashtra chief minister, today dismissed speculations of change of guard in the Congress-NCP ruled state.

When asked to comment on the recent reports suggesting the possibility of Congress high command going in for a change in the state leadership, Shinde, former Maharashtra Chief Minister, said "this talk is going on for the last 8-9 months. These are rumours".

Responding to queries from media on the sidelines of a function here, Shinde refused to comment on the state Revenue Minister Narayan Rane's statement that his own partymen (Congress) were working against him by joining hands with Shiv Sena, to which he earlier belonged.