Deshmukh resigns; says lucky to have been CM twice

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who last month completed four years of his second term in the office, resigned.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who last month completed four years of his second term in the office, resigned on Thursday.

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The 63 year old Deshmukh drove to Raj Bhawan and submitted his resignation to Governor S C Jamir, soon after addressing a press conference where he thanked Congress president Sonia Gandhi for giving him an opportunity to be at the helm of affairs in the state on two occasions.

"I have served for so long in the government. It is now my duty to serve the party", Deshmukh said when asked if he would be contesting the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

"The party has to decide whether I should contest Lok Sabha or other election", Deshmukh said.

The development work done by the Congress NCP government during my tenure would help Congress in winning the next elections, Deshmukh said.

He remained silent on who would succeed him. "The legislature party will decide and Sonia Gandhi will take the final decision", he said.

Asked about any regret during his tenure, Deshmukh pointed to the Mumbai terror attacks, adding "we could not save so many lives lost in the war against India".