With the Congress expecting to emerge as the single-largest party in Maharashtra, and even the NCP acknowledging the same, Industries Minister Narayan Rane has made the first move, discreetly projecting himself as the next chief minister.

Marathi daily Prahaar, run by Rane’s family, on Thursday published a piece in its editorial columns, saying that the chief minister’s post had mostly gone to politicians from western Maharashtra and Marathwada since the state’s formation, with the other regions ignored. Rane belongs to Konkan.

The opinion piece also said that “in the short period of his tenure (as chief minister), Narayan Rane took important decisions and implemented some schemes”. If a person from Konkan became the chief minister, more attention would be paid to issues concerning the region, like improving productivity of Alphonso mangoes, coconuts, jackfruits, cashew and promoting tourism, the paper noted.

Meanwhile, the NCP seems reconciled to ending up with lesser seats than the Congress and playing second fiddle. Discussions have begun in the party over who would be the next deputy chief minister, as well as sharing of portfolios with the Congress.

The recent statement of NCP chief Sharad Pawar that the next chief minister would be from the Congress is seen as an indicator of this.

The names being discussed include those of outgoing deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, home minister Jayant Patil, finance minister Dilip Walse-Patil, state chief R R Patil and Vijaysingh Mohite-Patil.

“Ajit Pawar does not appear to be interested in becoming the deputy chief minister as he would like to become the chief minister, whenever possible,” an NCP leader said.