Maharashtra governor wants to be ‘discharged of responsibilities’, informs Modi

“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 Bhagat Singh Koshyari said in a statement.

Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, in a surprise move, on Monday said on Monday he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed him that he wants to be "discharged of all political responsibilities".

Maharashtra governor B S Koshyari (File Photo)

Koshyari's recent remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj dominated Maharashtra politics, the opposition targeting the Eknath Shinde-led government. Koshyari recently said Shivaji Maharaj was a “hero of the past”, while BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed the Maratha warrior king sought mercy from the Mughal empire.

“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 said in a statement.

“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 have 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,” Koshyari added.

Remarks by the Maharashtra governor caused state-wide protests. In a show of strength, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray group), NCP, Congress, and other parties took out a massive Halla Bol morcha in Mumbai in December against the Eknath Shinde-BJP alliance government demanding Koshyari's removal.