Updated

New Delhi, Jun 17 (CNN-IBN): 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.

Meanwhile, 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).

Earlier Report

Karnataka governor H R Bhardwaj resigns, with two others

New Delhi, Jun 17 (Zee News): Amid reports that the NDA government wants to replace Governors in key states, three Governors tendered their resignation on Tuesday.

BL Joshi (Uttar Pradesh), HR Bhardwaj (Karnataka) and JB Patnaik (Assam) resigned as Governors today.

Bhardwaj and Patnaik met President Pranab Mukherjee in the afternoon and submitted their resignations, while Joshi sent his resignation letter to the Union Home Ministry.

The Union Home Secretary had reportedly called up Governors of many states and suggested that they put in their papers. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also, reportedly, sought details of the tenures of at least eight Governors who are due to retire by the year-end.

With the exit of three Governors, other Governors like MK Narayanan (West Bengal), Margaret Alva (Rajasthan), Sheila Dikshit (Kerala), Kamla Beniwal (Gujarat), and K Sankanarayanan (Maharashtra) may find it increasingly difficult to ward off pressure to vacate Raj Bhavan.

Reports claimed that MK Narayanan may also quit within the next 24 hours.

Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PMO tweeted. She may also be on her way out.

The resignations came hours after BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that incumbent Governors should have resigned themselves as most of them were appointed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi and not on merit.

“With a new central government, it's an expected process, so BL Joshi ji (UP Governor) by resigning has done the right thing,” UP BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpai said.

The BJP has reasons to be in a hurry as several senior party leaders like MM Joshi, Lalji Tandon, VK Malhotra, Kalyan Singh, Shanta Kumar and BC Khanduri, who could not find place in the Modi cabinet, are eyeing the gubernatorial assignment.