Maharashtra Governor Koshyari says he 'conveyed his desire to PM Modi' to step down

"It was an absolute honour and privilege for me to serve as Rajya Sevak or Rajyapal of a great State like Maharashtra, the land of Saints, Social reformers, and valiant fighters. I want to spend the rest of my life in reading, writing and other activities," said Governor Koshyari. 

In a surprise move, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said he had expressed his wish to step down from the Governor's position to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I have expressed the desire to step down from Governor's post," read the statement issued by the Raj Bhavan on Monday, January 23, 2023. 

Maharashtra Governor Koshyari claimed, "It was an absolute honour and privilege for me to serve as Rajya Sevak or Rajyapal of a great State like Maharashtra, the land of Saints, Social reformers, and valiant fighters." Additionally, he wrote, "I want to spend the rest of my life in reading, writing and other activities."

Koshyari voiced his desire to PM Modi during the latter's recent visit to Mumbai ahead of the civic election.

Previously, during the row over the Governor's controversial remarks about Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji in November last year, Koshyari had offered to resign, according to a statement issued by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. However, Raj Bhavan rejected the claims. 

Since the beginning, Governor Koshyari has been surrounded by controversies. His statements against social reformers Savitribai Phule and Jyotiba Phule and his refusal to accept the Maha Vikas Aghadi government's list of 12 MLCs for the state legislature. 

His remark about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, an icon of the past, sparked a statewide protest and fueled the Opposition's demand for his removal from the post of Governor. The Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray faction claimed that he had insulted Maharashtra's icons and was anti-'Marathi manoos.'