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Mumbai attacks will remain etched in my memory: Deshmukh

Staff Reporter

Mumbai: The outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, said on Thursday that the recent terror attacks, which led to his resignation, would remain etched in his memory.

“We cannot take away the sorrow, we can only sympathise. I feel sorry for the incident in Mumbai. We could not protect the lives of the people. It will always remain at the bottom of my heart,” he said at a press conference called to announce the submission of his resignation to Governor S.C. Jamir.

He said the resignation was a “symbolic” gesture in response to people’s sentiments. “I have owned moral responsibility. People are angry. One has to respect their sentiments. By accepting moral responsibility, the Congress has carved a new niche for itself.”

Mr. Deshmukh appeared relaxed as he spoke of the highs and lows in office. He listed various projects ranging from the special economic zones to flyovers to assert that the State was on a progressive march. His only regret was the power sector, where the State was not “self-sufficient.”

Mr. Deshmukh refuted reports of pressure from Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. The Congress Working Committee’s (CWC) decision to accept his resignation came before the meeting with Mr. Pawar, he said.

He also denied reports that his tour of the Taj Mahal hotel with film director Ram Gopal Verma had anything to do with his ouster.

Mr. Deshmukh said that he felt honoured to have become Chief Minister of Maharashtra twice, especially since he came from a humble background.

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