Cong likely to maintain status quo in Maha, Haryana, Arunachal

With the exit polls and its own assessment indicating a come back to power either alone or with allies in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunchal Pradesh, Congress on Wednesday indicated that it could maintain status quo regarding Chief Ministership in the three states.

With the exit polls and its own assessment indicating a come back to power either alone or with allies in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunchal Pradesh, Congress on Wednesday indicated that it could maintain status quo regarding Chief Ministership in the three states.

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"There could even be a status quo in all three states," a senior party functionary said on the condition of anonymity.
The leader made the statement when asked about the possibility of change of guard in Maharashtra, where the party has a number of claimants for the chief minister's post. They include some former chief ministers as well.

Congress is in power in Maharashtra along with its ally NCP while it is the ruling party in Haryana and Arunchal Pradesh and in both the states the incumbent chief ministers face competition from within the party for the high post.

The leader admitted that rivalry among party's stalwarts, which include personal attacks in Haryana polls, was not right but added that it made no impact on the party's preparedness.

"Ashok Chavan (incumbent Maharashtra Chief Minister) has done well. And others are also not without responsibility," the leader said in a lighter vein when asked specifically whether Chavan will continue to be the Chief Minister if Congress forms the next government with NCP there.

The party leader at the same time maintained it is for the CLP leader and Congress President to decide on the issue.
Earlier, AICC general secretary and party coordinator for Maharashtra polls Digvijay Singh had said, "...Incumbent Chief Minister is always in the race", when asked whether Chavan could again be CM if the alliance comes back to power.