Maha Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari - a man of controversies

Mumbai, Jan 23 (PTI) Here is a look at Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's statements that triggered controversy, leading to the announcement by Raj Bhavan on Monday 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. "Shivaji is an icon of the old era; I am talking about the new era. You will find (icons) right here. From Dr Ambedkar to Nitin Gadkari, you will find them here," Koshyari had said. 

In July last year, Koshyari said Mumbai would not remain the financial capital of the country if Gujaratis and Marwaris were removed from the city. His remark drew criticism from several opposition parties, with former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray saying it is time to show him the famous Kolhapuri chappal. 

While inaugurating new buildings of the Mumbai University, the Maharashtra Governor had urged the varsity vice-chancellor to name the new international students' hostel after freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. 

During a programme in Aurangabad in March last year, Koshyari said "Samarth Ramdas was the 'guru' of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj." Many maharajas and chakravartis (emperors) were born on this land. "But who would have asked about Chandragupta had there not been Chanakya. Who would have asked about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had there not been Samarth (Ramdas),"said Koshyari. 

A video of Koshyari went viral in March last year in which he is seen mocking the child marriage of social activists Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule. Savitribai got married at the age of 10 to Jyotirao, who was then 13. 

"Now imagine, what would the boy and girl have been doing after marriage. What would they have been thinking?" the Governor had said.

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 Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in a shock early morning swearing-in ceremony, amid BJP-Shiv Sena tussle over the CM's post.

The former Uttarakhand chief minister said he would like to spend the remainder of his life in reading, writing and other activities.

"During the recent visit of the Hon'ble Prime Minister 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 the love and affection from the Hon'ble Prime Minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard," a statement from the Raj Bhavan said.

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

"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 added.

Koshyari, 81, took charge as the Maharashtra governor in September 2019.

When the Uddhav Thakeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi was in power, he had several run-ins with the government on a range of issues including the appointment of 12 members to the state legislative council from the gubernatorial quota, which he never approved. The MVA had accused him of acting in a partisan manner.

The latest controversy surrounding Koshyari was about his remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj whom he described as the "icon of olden times". The remarks triggered protests from the Opposition parties demanding that he be sacked.

Following the row, Koshyari wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah stating he would never imagine even in his dream insulting icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Not new to controversy, Governor Koshyari had said Mumbai would not remain the financial capital of the country if people belonging to the Rajasthani and Gujarati communities decided to leave.

His remark drew criticism from several opposition party leaders with former CM Uddhav Thackeray saying it is time to show him the famous Kolhapuri chappal and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut asking CM Eknath Shinde to condemn the Governor.

Amid the political impasse created after the 2019 Assembly elections when Shiv Sena severed ties with BJP, Koshyari administered the oath to Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister for the second time and NCP leader Ajit Pawar as Deputy CM.

However, the Fadnavis-Pawar government lasted for only 80 hours, paving the way for the Maha Vikas Aghadi experiment wherein Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress joined hands to form a coalition government.

Koshyari's remark that Samarth Ramdas was the guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had also caused a furore.
Amid a political crisis triggered by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde's rebellion last June, Koshyari ordered a floor test of then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government.

However, Thackeray resigned as the chief minister on June 29, shortly after the Supreme Court refused to stay Koshyari's direction to his government to take a floor test in the Assembly.

Koshyari administered the oath to Eknath Shinde, who headed the Shiv Sena faction, and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis as the chief minister and deputy CM, respectively, on June 30.