Union Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan has been named as the next chief minister of Maharashtra, after Ashok Chavan resigned from the post following the Adarsh Society scam. The decision was announced by Senior Cogress leader and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi this morning after a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi .Parliamentary party leader Pranab Mukherjee said that Congress Legislature Party unanimously requested Congress President to choose the next leader of the Congress Legislature Party. We came back and reported to Congress President last night. And this morning, she has selected Prithviraj Chavan to be the new leader of the Congress Legislature Party. Mr. Antony has communicated this decision as for arrangement to Maharashtra PCC President Manik RaoThakre.After the announcement, Prithviraj Chavan said he accepted the responsibility with all humility. Mr Chavan expressed his hope to do the best.Talking to newsmen Mr. Chavan said that MLA's of Maharashtra has called upon me to undertake the responsibility of heading the government in Maharashtra at this important juncture. I seek cooperation and support of all ally governments that I will do my best to give leadership to the state, prominent state in the country.Mr Chavan has since tendered his resignation as Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office and handed over the five other departments he was handling. President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil has accepted the resignation of Prithviraj Chavan. HRD Minister Kapil Sibal will now hold additional charge of Ministries of Science and Technology and Earth Science.The NCP has welcomed the decision to appoint Prithviraj Chavan as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Party leader Sharad Pawar termed it is a good and right decision.Prithviraj Chavan today met coalition partner NCP chief Sharad Pawar in New Delhi. Chavan sought his party's cooperation in running the government smoothly. NCP is Congress' biggest ally in the state.64-year-old Chavan is from Karad in Satara district in Western Maharashtra. He has a B.E. (Hons.) from BITS, Pilani, Rajasthan, and also a M.S. from University of California, in USA. Mr Chavan has a vast political experience. However, he was always more active at the Centre rather at the state level. Mr Chavan, fondly called as Baba by his party men, is known for his clean image.Mr Chavan has held several key assignments in the Congress cabinet at the Centre and has handled crucial tasks. He was closely involved in the passage of the Indo-US Nuclear deal, is monitoring important CBI cases and is currently Minister of State not only in the Prime Minister’s Office, but also in the Science and Technology, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs ministries. Our Satara PTC reports that people in Karad are jubilant over Mr Chavan’s selection as the chief minister of Maharashtra.Heavy Industries minister and former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh welcomed the appointment of Prithviraj Chavan as the next chief minister of Maharashtra. Speaking to reporters outside parliament, Congress leader Deshmukh said Chavan is an experienced leader who has worked in the organization as well as in the central government.Ajit Pawar, nephew of NCP Chief Sharad Pawar will be the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The State Power Minister Ajit Pawar was chosen as the new leader of NCP’s legislature party at a meeting in Mumbai this evening. Apart from Union Minister Praful Patel, senior party leaders Tariq Anwar, D. P. Tripathi and Govindrao Adik were present at the meeting as NCP’s central observers.Later briefing newsmen, Mr. Praful Patel said, there is no specific reason for removing Bhujbal and electing Pawar. Ajit Pawar said that there is no rift in the party. He said, his Party will work its coalition partner Congress for the development of the State.