Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane, who joined Congress three years ago after a three-decade stint in Shiv Sena, is likely to replace Vilasrao Deshmukh as Chief Minister.

"Rane's name has been okayed by the high command, with AICC in-charge for Maharashtra, A K Antony backing Rane for the post. What's more, even NCP, Congress' alliance partner, is amenable to the move," party sources said on Thursday.

Other names discussed were that of Union Ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan and senior leader Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, the sources said.

"Pawar opposed Vikhe Patil's name and was also not agreeable on Chavan," the sources said.

The name of other contender, state Industries Minister Ashok Chavan, was not discussed much, they added. Rane, a former Sena CM, is among the prominent detractors of Deshmukh, who is into his second term as Chief Minister.

Pranab, Antony are 'observers'

Senior Congress leaders Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony left for Mumbai as central observers of the party to oversee the election of a successor to Vilasrao Deshmukh who has been asked to step down in the wake of the terror attacks in the metropolis.

"Both of us are going as observers," Antony said on Wednesday morning.

Mukherjee had said on that views of the MLAs on the leadership issue will be sought at the meeting of the state Congress Legislature Party.

Mukherjee had declined to hazard any guess as to who would be next Chief Minister and whether he would be a Dalit or from the Maratha community.

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