WORLD NEWS

MUMBAI: The Congress Party has decided to retain Ashok Chavan and Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Haryana respectively, Geo news quoted Indian media as reporting.

According to details, the decision was taken by Congress President Sonia Gandhi after she held several rounds of consultations with senior party leaders.

Defence Minister A K Antony, who is one of the observers for Maharashtra, said Chavan has been chosen as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in the state.

He will be sworn-in as Maharashtra Chief Minister for the second term, Antony added.

Meanwhile, Prithviraj Chavan, observer for Haryana, said Sonia Gandhi has selected Hooda to head the CLP in the state. Hooda, 62, is likely to be sworn-in as Haryana Chief Minister today.

In Arunachal Pradesh, the CLP has elected Dorjee Khandu as its leader. Khandu along with the Congress legislators staked claim to form the new government. The sweraing-in ceremony will take place today.