New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind today accepted the resignation of Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said.
Sawant’s resignation has been accepted on advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the spokesperson.
As advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Union Minister Prakash Javadekar be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in addition to his existing portfolios, the spokesperson added.
Sawant on Monday announced his resignation from the Union Cabinet, saying it would not be proper to continue as a Minister when a new government was being formed in Maharashtra.
Addressing a press conference, Sawant accused the BJP of reneging on its promise of equal division of seats and power to the Sena and forcing the Uddhav Thackeray-led party to snap ties.
He alleged that the BJP was resorting to “lies” by denying the agreement reached between the leaders of the two parties before the Assembly elections.
“They have also hurt my party by lying. Since there is no trust left, I have decided to resign,” Sawant told reporters.
He also accused the BJP of hurting the sentiments of the Shiv Sena and of the Thackeray family. “I have resigned as the Union Minister. I have sent my resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the Shiv Sena leader said and displayed his letter resigning as the Union Heavy Industries Minister.