Mumbai, Jan 17: Sushil Kumar Shinde was today officially elected leader of the Democratic Front government. Chaggan Bhujbal has been elected his deputy. The decision of their election was unanimously taken at a meeting of all 149 MLAs of the Democratic Front coalition.

Emerging from the meeting, Shinde said he would strive to provide good governance by working within the framework of Congress policies.
A confident Bhujbal, who reaffirmed confidence in Shinde’s leadership, said, “ There will be no problem at all as our objective is clear. We are following in the footsteps of our great leaders B R Ambedkar and Shivaji. Mr Shinde is an experienced hand who has presented the state budget 9-10 times.” Shinde will be sworn-in as the 22nd chief minister of Maharashtra tomorrow.
Earlier in the day, state Governor Mohammad Fazal accepted the resignation of the outgoing CM Vilasrao Deshmukh. Bureau Report