Suhas Samant, president of the BEST Kamgar Sena, resigned on Friday, accepting moral responsibility for the defeat of the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS joint panel in the employees` credit society election.

Samant, who led the Sena (UBT)-affiliated union for nearly 25 years, stepped down a day after party leader Aaditya Thackeray admitted there were shortcomings in the election planning and indicated an internal reshuffle was likely.

"I have resigned, taking moral responsibility of the defeat. The entire committee of 14 members, too, has resigned," said Samant, who is one of the deputy leaders in the Shiv Sena (UBT), reported news agency PTI.