MUMBAI: Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, who has been in the eye of storm for his controversial comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and other state icons, has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be relieved of the post.
In a statement issued by Raj Bhavan, Governor Koshyari has expressed his desire to spend the rest of his life in reading, writing and other leisurely 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," the governor said in a statement.
According to Koshyari, he had conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the latter's recent visit to Mumbai, of his desire to discharge him of all political responsibilities.
"I have always received the love and affection from the Hon’ble Prime Minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard," he tweeted.
The desire expressed by the governor to step down from the post assumes significance as it has come in the run-up to the civic elections in Mumbai and other major cities of the state.
Ever since his appointment as a governor of Maharashtra in September 2019, Koshyari had often found himself in controversy for his clashes with the earlier Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and controversial statements about icons of Maharashtra.
In July last year, Koshyari sparked a row saying Mumbai would not remain the financial capital of the country if Gujaratis and Marwaris were removed from the city. Facing a backlash, with even the BJP distancing itself, he later had to apologise for “hurting sentiments of the Marathi people."
His remarks that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an icon of old times created huge uproar in the state, due to which he faced allegations of ‘insulting the Maratha king.' It also led to protests against him from the opposition parties demanding his removal from the post.
Following the controversy, Koshyari had also written a letter to union Home minister Amit Shah seeking the latter's 'guidance’ from over the issue. He also clarified that he had not insulted the legendary Maratha king.
