NCP, Uddhav-led Sena camp welcome Koshyari's exit as Maha governor

The Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress have welcomed the replacement of Bhagat Singh Koshyari as Maharashtra Governor while hoping that the new occupant of the Raj Bhavan, Ramesh Bais, would not be a “puppet of the BJP”. Koshyari had multiple run-ins with the previous MVA government led by Thackeray.

Reacting to the development, NCP leader Jayant Patil in a tweet said, “I hope the new governor would not be a puppet of the BJP like the previous one (Koshyari). We welcome the decision of the Union government to change the Maharashtra governor as it was the demand of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. The previous governor had lowered the stature of his post by making controversial remarks against social icons from the state.”

Also read: Maharashtra Governor Koshiyari announces wish to resign

Thackeray says big win

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MLA and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray also welcomed Koshyari’s resignation. “Big win for Maharashtra! The resignation of anti-Maharashtra Governor has finally been accepted,” he tweeted. “He, who constantly insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Pule and Savitribai Phule, our Constitution, Assembly & democratic ideals, cannot be accepted as a Governor,” the MLA said in another tweet.

Maharashtra Congress president Patole claimed the Raj Bhavan of Maharashtra had become the “BJP Bhavan”.

“I was consistently making the point that he should be removed, but he resigned and his resignation was accepted. It is in a way showing respect to him, and now the BJP will learn how costly it would be for them in the coming elections. People will take the revenge for such acts (for the late decision to replace him), Patole further claimed.

Koshyari and controversy

Some of Koshyari’s statements had triggered controversy, leading to an announcement by the state Raj Bhavan last month that he wants to quit the post.

Addressing a gathering in November last year, Koshyari said Chhatrapati Shivaji was an icon of olden times and personalities like Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar to Nitin Gadkari were the modern icons of the state.

Also read: ‘Shivaji Maharaj is our God’: Gadkari’s bid to end row over Koshyari’s comment

Uddhav Thackeray, when he was Maharashtra chief minister, accused Koshyari of being overactive, and pointed out that the governor had not filled 12 vacant seats in the state Legislative Council despite the state government’s recommendation.

In November 2019, Koshyari administered oath of office to BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and NCPs Ajit Pawar as chief minister and deputy CM in a shock early morning swearing-in ceremony, amid the BJP-Shiv Sena tussle over the CM’s post.

The new Eknath Shinde-BJP coalition came to power in June last year after a split in the Shiv Sena and the subsequent collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (comprising the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) government.

(With Agency inputs)