New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS): Deliberations are on in the Congress for the appointment of new state unit presidents in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra and the names will be out soon, party sources said on Wednesday.

The sources said that lobbying had intensified as many leaders are eyeing these organisational posts.

In Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath is holding the PCC chief's post as well after taking over as Chief Minister in 2018. Former Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia is said to be keen on the post, with his supporters like state minister Umang Singhar openly supporting Scindia's candidature despite the political rift between Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Scindia.

In Karnataka, the party has zeroed in on senior state leaders HK Patil and DK Shivakumar. The sources said former Chief Minister Siddaramiah is backing Patil though the party wants Shivakumar. Dinesh Gundu Rao is acting as the state Congress chief without any executive.

In Maharashtra, the Congress has been looking to replace Balasaheb Thorat after his induction into the state Cabinet. Those who have been left out of the Council of Ministers are pitching for a change, said the sources.

Also, Eknath Gaikwad was appointed acting president of the Mumbai Congress after Milind Deora resigned as Mumbai Regional Congress Committee chief in July last year, after the party lost all the five Mumbai seats it contested in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Asked to comment, Congress Media Department head Randeep Surjewala said: "As and when the party decides it will be made public."

A party leader said these posts need full-time appointments to strengthen the organisation.

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