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Sonia may decide Patnaik's successor by the weekend

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

The continued silence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi on the resignation of Orissa Chief Minister Janaki Ballab Patnaik has triggered speculation that she is still assessing the fallout of the development. But party sources said she is unlikely to turn down the resignation offer.

Spokesman Ajit Jogi denied that Gandhi had asked Patnaik to resign. The chief minister offered to quit, owning moral responsibility for the atrocities on minorities in the state, and it is incorrect to say that he was forced to put in his papers, Jogi said.

Asked if she is having second thoughts about accepting the resignation in view of the considerable support in the state Congress for Patnaik's retention, including from veteran Congresswoman Nandini Satpathy, Jogi said, "We are not aware of any such reports."

He, however, said Gandhi would take all factors into consideration before deciding on the resignation.

Satpathy, a former chief minister of Orissa and now head of the state's planning board, has said Patnaik need not resign because he is not to blame for the acts of violence against Christians in the state.

Some pro-Patnaik legislators have also sent a representation to Gandhi narrating his achievements and requesting her not to change the state's leadership. But they have also promised to abide by her decision.

The sources said Gandhi is likely to decide Patnaik's successor by the weekend. The candidates include former Union ministers of state Giridhar Gomango and K P Singhdeo.

All other formalities of sending observers and conducting a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party to 'elect' its leader will be undertaken only after Gandhi makes a decision.

The sources said the decision to change the state's chief minister was taken some time back following an assessment that it would be difficult for the Congress to win the forthcoming assembly election under Patnaik's leadership.

The attacks on minorities only reinforced this assessment.

The sources also denied reports of a deal with Patnaik as a condition for his resignation.

Additional reporting by UNI

The Christian attacks row

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