According to Congress sources, Shinde, a Dalit leader, could strengthen the party’s base among Dalits at a time when BSP leader Mayawati is making forays into it. Deshmukh was perceived to have lost confidence of the Dalits due to his inept handling of the 2006 Khairlanji incident involving atrocities against Dalits.

Thanks to the delay in the implementation of Srikrishna Commission report into 1992-93 Mumbai riots, Muslims have also grown suspicious of the Deshmukh government’s intentions, said party sources from Maharashtra. A few months ago, a senior Congress leader and Cabinet minister had come back from Mumbai to submit to the Congress President a report against Deshmukh’s standing among the minority community.

The minister had even submitted video recordings of his conversations with Muslims who had very strong words against the incumbent CM, said sources. It was around that time that Deshmukh angered the farming community in Vidarbha by calling them “dishonest” in a public meeting.

AICC General Secretary in charge of Maharashtra Margaret Alva, who has been at loggerheads with the CM, is said to have recommended Deshmukh’s removal in a report to Sonia citing poor governance in the state.