Mumbai: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has offered to quit his post, nearly two months after his statement allegedly disrespecting Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji caused a heated uproar. The controversial remark drew intense criticism with the opposition asking him to resign as well as leading to him getting isolated in the ruling dispensation.
In a statement issued by Raj Bhavan Monday afternoon, Governor Koshyari said he conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi his “desire to be discharged of all political responsibilities” and to spend the rest of his life reading, writing and pursuing other activities.
“It was an absolute honour and privilege for me to serve as the Rajya Sevak or Rajyapal of a great State like Maharashtra – the land of Saints, Social reformers and valiant fighters,” said Koshyari.
“I can never forget the love and affection I have received from the people of Maharashtra during the last little more than 3 years. During the recent visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to Mumbai, I conveyed to him my desire to be discharged of all political responsibilities and to spend the remainder of my life in reading, writing and other activities. I have always received the love and affection from the Hon’ble Prime Minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard,” the Governor stated in the press release.
Koshyari’s term as a governor was marred with controversies. He was appointed to the post in September 2019 and had been locked in a tiff with the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government when it came to power the next month.
The first controversy was when he administered oaths to Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in the wee hours of a Saturday morning in November 2019, the government that last only three days.
Koshyari has often been called out for making controversial statements.
Last November, he called Chhatrapati Shivaji an “icon of older times” and named “modern-day” icons such as B.R. Ambedkar and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.
This invoked severe criticism from the Opposition MVA which even held a protest in December demanding Koshyari ‘s resignation. The BJP also distanced itself from Koshyari’s remarks with Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar saying that the party completely disagreed with the remarks, days after the statement was made at a function at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University in Aurangabad.
Also read: Timeline of Maharashtra Governor Koshyari’s remarks that triggered controversy