After initial trends indicated a favourable position for the Congress in Vidarbha, former Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ranjit Deshmukh on Saturday threw his hat in the ring for the chief minister's post.

Deshmukh, who is leading in the Nagpur west assembly constituency, told newsmen in Nagpur: "If service to the people and party is the criterion for chief ministership, then I too have significant contribution."

When asked if he wished to stake claim for chief ministership, Deshmukh said: "Who does not aspire for the post?"

He, however, added the decision rests with party president Sonia Gandhi and the elected MLAs.