Rajnath Singh on UPA governors: If I was in their place, I would have resigned

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has confirmed that Uttar Pradesh Governor BL Joshi has sent his resignation to the Centre. This comes amidst intense speculation over the fate of at least six more Governors appointed by the UPA government, with government sources saying they will be stepping down soon, including the Governor of West Bengal MK Narayanan. The Union Home Minister did not comment specifically on the the fate of six other governors but did say this much: "If I was in their place, I would have stepped down."

Kerala Governor Shiela Dikshit, who was appointed in the post just days before the UPA went out of power, West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan, Madhya Pradesh governor Ram Naresh Yadav, Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva and Karnataka Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj are also said to be on their way out and could submit their resignations soon. The Nagaland Governor and former CBI Director Ashwani Kumar is also expected to resign soon. "I do not respond to rumours," Dikshit said, when asked on reports that she may step down. Alva met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. Home Ministry sources said UP Governor BL Joshi had resigned 3-4 days ago while others are expected to offer resignations within the next few days. Joshi's term was ending next month. The other Governors mentioned above, except Dikshit and Ashwani Kumar, have few months of tenure left. Margaret Alva's tenure ends this August while MK Narayanan's tenure ends next year in January.