Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who last month completed four years of his second term in the office, resigned on Thursday.

"I have accepted moral responsibility for Mumbai terror attacks. In a democracy one has to honour people's anguish and anger," he said after submitting his resignation.

The 63-year-old Deshmukh drove to Raj Bhawan and submitted his resignation to Governor S C Jamir, soon after he addressed a press conference.

"I have served for so long in the government... it is now my duty to serve the party," Deshmukh said when asked if he would be contesting the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

"The party has to decide whether I should contest Lok Sabha or other election," Deshmukh said.

He remained silent on who would succeed him. "The legislature party will decide and Sonia Gandhi will take the final decision," he said.

Asked about any regret during his tenure, Deshmukh pointed to the Mumbai terror attacks, adding "we could not save so many lives lost in the war against India".