After BS Koshyari, Ramesh Bais Becomes New Maharashtra Governor

Ramesh Bais, the former Governor of Jharkhand, was appointed as Maharashtra's next Governor after President Droupadi Murmu accepted BS Koshyari's resignation from the post on Sunday, 12 February.

Koshyari had told Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month that he wished to step down from the top post.

"Governor Koshyari has expressed his desire to spend the rest of his life in reading, writing and other leisurely activities," a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said.

Besides this, President Murmu also appointed Governors to 11 states and a Lieutenant Governor to Ladakh:

1) Arunachal Pradesh: Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik, PVSM, UYSM, YSM (Retired)

2) Sikkim: Lakshman Prasad Acharya

3) Jharkhand: C.P. Radhakrishnan

4) Himachal Pradesh: Shiv Pratap Shukla

5) Assam: Gulab Chand Kataria

6) Andhra Pradesh: Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer

7) Chhattisgarh: Former Andhra Pradesh Governor Bhusan Harichandan

8) Manipur: Former Chhattisgarh Governor Sushri Anusuiya Uikye

9) Nagaland: Former Manipur Governor La. Ganesan

10) Meghalaya: Former Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan

11) Bihar: Former Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

Koshyari Wanted To Step Down Amid Criticism

“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 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,” Koshyari further said in the press release issued by Raj Bhavan.

This came amid opposition criticising him for allegedly disrespecting the great men and icons of Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), NCP and Congress had demanded that the Governor resign for allegedly defaming the icons and Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena were struggling to defend the Governor. 

Further, in January 2023, the Governor had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had reportedly expressed discontent over his recent statements about icons.