Ashok Chavan could go after Obama visit: Reports

New Delhi / Mumbai : US President Barack Obama?s impending visit to India, during which he is scheduled to go to Mumbai, could save incumbent Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan?s job for the moment.

But indications are rife that the Congress high command could go for a change in guard in the state soon after the high-profile visit, reports said on Saturday.

Chavan, who offered to resign before Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at New Delhi on Saturday over the controversy over corrupt allotment of flats meant for Kargil War widows in Mumbai, could be shown the exit door.

Media reports, quoting Congress sources, said that a final decision on Chavan?s resignation would be taken after Union ministers Pranab Mukherjee and AK Antony submit their reports on the matter.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh?s return from three-nation Asian tour is also awaited for any decision.

The axing may come a fortnight later to let the Obama visit pass off without any last minute hitches.

Meanwhile, speculations have already started on possible contenders for the chief minister?s post.

Minister of State for Science and Technology and the Prime Minister’s Office Prithviraj Chavan is among the likely contender for the post.

Another Union minister Mukul Wasnik is also among the possible successors of Ashok Chavan, reports claimed.