Pressure on UPA-appointed Governors to resign-B L Joshi and H R Bhardwaj put in their papers

Express News Service

New Delhi, 17 June 2014: After reports of the Narendra Modi government asking some UPA-appointed Governors to put in their papers, Uttar Pradesh Governor B L Joshi and Karnataka’s H R Bhardwaj have tendered their resignations. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva, in a “courtesy meeting”, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

According to reports, UPA-appointed Governors who have six months or less in the expiry of their tenure are likely to stay while those who have more days in office have been asked to quit by the Centre.

 

Reports further said that the government is expected to ask President Pranab Mukherjee to ask for the resignation of the governors.

H.R. Bharadwaj                              B.L. Joshi

According to reports, Sheila Dikshit (Kerala), Margaret Alva (Rajasthan) and Kamla Beniwal (Gujarat), among others have been asked by the NDA government to put in their papers.

 

Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here amid reports that a number of Governors appointed by the previous UPA government may be asked to quit.

Margaret Alva                                 Sheila Dikshit

“It was a courtesy call,” a PMO statement said without giving any further details on the meeting Alva had with Modi at his residence. The meeting took place amid reports that a number of Governors appointed by the UPA government may be asked to quit.

Sources said Alva has sought a meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee.

 

One of the governors has, reportedly, refused to put in papers, sparking speculations that the issue may be dragged to court.

 

The situation is similar to that of 2004 when the UPA government was challenged in the court for asking NDA-appointed governors to go. The Supreme Court had ruled that the governors could not be removed in an arbitrary manner.