Want to quit, have told PM: Maharashtra governor Koshyari

Following a three-year tenure marked by controversies and a fractious relationship with the erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi dispensation, Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday said he had conveyed his desire to step down to PM Narendra Modi during the latter's recent visit to Mumbai.

In a Raj Bhavan statement, Koshyari, 80, a former MLA, MP, and CM of Uttarakhand, expressed his desire 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," Koshyari said in the statement that read like a parting note.

Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's statement on Monday that he had conveyed to the PM his desire to step down, drew reactions on social media as well as in political circles. Observers pointed out that the governor is appointed by the President on the advice of the PM and council of ministers; any decision to relinquish the post has to be formally approved by the office of the President.

"I can never forget the love and affection I have received from the people of Maharashtra during my tenure. During the recent visit of the PM 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 love and affection from him and I hope to receive the same in this regard," the governor stated in the press release.

Modi was in Mumbai on January 19 to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several infrastructure projects.

His communique indicating that he had expressed his desire to the PM drew reactions on social media as well as in political circles. Observers pointed out that the governor is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the PM and council of ministers; any decision to relinquish the post has to be formally approved by the office of the President.

Koshyari's tenure of a little over three years was marred by a series of controversies. His statement praising the Marwari and Gujarati communities for their contribution in making Mumbai the financial capital backfired. His comment that Chhatrapati Shivaji was a role model of the olden days and that Maharashtra had modern heroes too like Ambedkar and Gadkari brought the opposition out on the streets. NCP leader Sharad Pawar who led a rally demanding his removal, said "Koshyari has crossed all his limits", "such people should not be given crucial posts."