Aurangabad is the largest revenue division in Marathwada, from where both Chavan and Deshmukh hail. The observers feel Chavan, who became Chief Minister last month after Deshmukh was forced to resign in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, has acted in 'haste' disregarding public sentiment and the political price Congress might have to pay for his decision.

Chavan was Industry Minister in Deshmukh's Cabinet. The proposal for bifurcation of Aurangabad division was pending for long.

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Also, the issue of where the new division should be headquartered was politically sensitive. It was the wish of Chavan's father late SB Chavan, a former CM, to have a separate revenue division in Nanded.

Neighbouring districts like Latur (Deshmukh's home district) and Parbhani were staking claim for the status, hence the decision had been pending for nearly 20 years.

Marathwada, a backward region in Central Maharashtra, comprises eight Lok Sabha and 46 Assembly seats. In the 2004 elections, the Congress drew a blank in the Lok Sabha from Marathwada and won only six Assembly seats.

Observers said Chavan was attempting to checkmate Deshmukh and dispelling the impression that he would be a dummy CM since it was his predecessor who threw his lot behind him in the Chief Ministerial race.