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Karnataka, Assam Governors deny resigning, Sheila too undecided


Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 17, 2014 (IBN LIVE): A political row has sparked off after sources revealed that the government is planning to remove the governors appointed by the Congress. While Uttar Pradesh Governor tendered his resignation on Tuesday, sources say that all Governors appointed by the Congress are likely to submit their resignation too. According to sources, those who refuse to resign could be transferred by the government.

bhardwaj-joshiMeanwhile, Karanataka Governor HR Bharadwaj and Assam governor JB Patnaik have denied reports that they will resign from their posts. "No one asked me for it and I won’t resign. Meeting President was a courtesy call," the Karanataka Governor said.

Kerala Governor Sheila Dikshit, too, is undecided on resigning from her post. Refusing to comment, the former Delhi chief minister said, "I can’t react to rumors." She was appointed as the Governor of Kerala following poll debacle in the Assembly elections in December 2013.

Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva also met President Pranab Mukherjee during the day.

According to sources, the Centre was planning to remove 5 governors including Joshi. Others included the governors of Kerala, Punjab, Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.

The step was being taken so that the BJP can give the post to their veteran leaders who could not find a place in the Modi Cabinet.

Senior CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury hit out at the NDA for the move. He said, "We should not be tampering with the post of the Governors which is a constitutional position unless there is something specific in terms of acts of commission or omission."

According to sources, BL Joshi had earlier resisted the move, unlike others. Earlier, sources also added that a change was in the offing in the poll bound state of Maharashtra. BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi was being seen as front runner for the post.

Even in 2004, when the UPA replaced the NDA at the Centre, they also changed the Governors. UPA, too, had asked for Governors to be removed before their term was over. These included Babu Parmanand (Haryana), Vishnu Kant Shastri (Uttar Pradesh), Kidar Nath Sahani (Goa) and Kailashpati Mishra (Gujarat).