New Delhi: Former Jharkhand and Tripura Governor Ramesh Bais on Saturday took oath as the Governor of Maharashtra, in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Bais has replaced Bhagat Singh Koshyari as Maharashtra Governor after President Droupadi Murmu accepted Koshyari's resignation from the post.
"The President of India has accepted the resignations of Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari as Governor of Maharashtra and Shri Radha Krishnan Mathur as Lt. Governor of Ladakh," an official statement by the President's Secretariat informed on February 12.
The new Maharashtra Governor has been sworn in at a time when state politics is witnessing important twists and turns as most recently, former CM Uddhav Thackeray lost claim to the Shiv Sena party name and poll symbol (bow and arrow) after his ouster due to Shinde's rebellion against his leadership.
In a major setback for the Uddhav-led Shiv Sena faction, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday ordered that the party name "Shiv Sena" and the party symbol "Bow and Arrow" will be given to the Eknath Shinde faction.
In its order, the ECI observed that the current constitution of the Shiv Sena party is undemocratic and has been "mutilated to undemocratically appoint people from a coterie as office bearers without any election at all". It stated that such party structures fail to inspire confidence.
While the Shinde faction welcomed the decision of being recognised as the real Shiv Sena, the Uddhav Thackeray faction accused the Election Commission of haste and said the decision shows "it works as BJP agent".
Uddhav Thackeray termed the poll panel's decision as "murder of democracy" and said he will approach the Supreme Court against the decision.
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Bhagat Singh Koshyari Expressed Desire To Resign After Courting Multiple Controversies
In January, Bhagat Singh Koshyari conveyed his desire to step down from his post and lead a retired life. He expressed his sentiments to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Mumbai.
"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. 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 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," the Governor told the PM, as per a press release.
Koshyari came under fire from the Opposition as well as the ruling BJP for his remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji calling him "an icon of the old era". Persons like the late Dr BR Ambedkar or Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were modern-day icons, he had said.