The meeting of the Congress Legislature Party has elected outgoing Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu as the new Congress Legislature Party leader. The decision was taken by the legislators after a six hour marathon discussion at the Banquet Hall today.<br/><br/>Emerging from the meeting AICC observer V Narayanasamy declared Dorjee Khandu’s name as the CLP leader. Khandu’s name was proposed by APCC president Nabam Tuki and seconded by Assembly Speaker Setong Sena.<br/><br/>Later Dorjee Khandu along with the Congress legislators went to the Raj Bhawan and staked claim to form the new government. The swearing in ceremony of the new Cabinet would take place at the Raj Bhawan tomorrow at 9.30 am.<br/><br/>Central observers Oscar Fernandes and Luizinho Faleiro and AICC general secretary Sanjoy Bapna were also present in the meeting. Earlier in the day, State Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu submitted his resignation to Governor Gen JJ Singh at Raj Bhawan in the afternoon. The Chief Minister went to the Raj Bhawan along with APCC president Nabam Tuki to meet the Governor. After accepting Khandu’s resignation, the Governor asked Khandu and his Cabinet to continue to hold office till the new government is formed. <br/><br/>The newly elected 82 Congress MLAs today met in Mumbai and unanimously passed a resolution authorizing Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi to nominate their leader who will occupy the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister for the next five years.<br/> The meeting of Maharashtra's Congress Legislature Party – CLP was attended by senior Congress leaders comprising party general secretary, Mr. Digvijay Singh, Defence Minister, Mr. A. K. Antony and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Mr. K Rehman Khan.<br/> The ruling Congress – NCP coalition is all set to form the next government in Maharashtra for the third time, with the Congress winning 82 and the NCP pocketing 62 seats in the 288-member house. The incumbent Chief Minister, Mr. Ashok Chavan continues to be the front runner.<br/> However, Revenue Minister, Mr. Patangrao Kadam and Industries Minster, Mr. Narayan Rane are still not out of the race. Meanwhile, two time Maharashtra CM, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh today said that he was prepared to accept whatever responsibility Congress High Command gives him. Besides the newly-elected Congress party members, today's meeting was also attended by 12 Independents and two members of the Bahujan Vikas Agadhi (BVA), who had won with the support of the Congress. Congress MPs from the state and members of the Legislative Council also attended today's meeting.<br/> On the other hand, the newly elected NCP members will be meeting on Monday to elect their leader for the post of deputy Chief Minister. Civil Aviation Minster, Mr. Praful Patel, senior NCP leaders Mr. Tariq Anwar, Mr. Govindrao Adik and Mr. D P Tripathi have been appointed observers for the process.