New Delhi, June 18
Amid reports of the Narendra Modi government's apparent move to nudge some UPA-appointed Governors to step down, many of them have reportedly dug in their heels citing the 2010 Supreme Verdict which says the constitutional heads of states should not be axed when the ruling dispensation changes at the Centre.

Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan, enjoying a second five-year term, today refused to resign saying he would consider quitting only if an "appropriate decision-making authority" asks him to do so. "Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami called me twice during last week (asking to demit office). I didn't reply to him anything," he said.

"There is no vacuum in the Governor's post. No position in a democracy is permanent. If an appropriate decision-making authority asks me (to quit), I will definitely think over it," Sankaranarayanan told a TV channel.

Similarly, West Bengal Governor MK Narayanan denied having put in his papers. In Karnataka, HR Bhardawaj, whose term ends in two weeks from now, has decided not to quit. Bharadwaj said Governors cannot resign unless their replacement is in place.

Sources said over dozen vacancies would occur over the next seven months as many Governors were set to complete their term. Many BJP biggies were reportedly eyeing the positions.

It is learnt that the ruling NDA-regime at the Centre may not go for en-masse removal of Governors. Some of these Governors are former IAS, IPS and military officers and they might survive. However, Congress 'loyalists' face a threat.

Uttar Pradesh Governor BL Joshi had quit yesterday. He was to retire on July 28. Eight Governors will end their five-year term this year. They are: HR Bhardawaj (Karnataka) and Devanand Konwar ( Tripura) whose terms ends in two weeks from now, followed by Margaret Alva (Rajasthan), Jagannath Pahadia (Haryana) and SC Jamir (Odisha) who will complete their tenures in July. DY Patil (Bihar) and Kamla Beniwal (Gujrat) will complete their terms in November while JB Patnaik (Assam) ends his term in December. Another four will end their terms in January 2015. They are: Shivraj Patil (Punjab), Shekar Dutt ( Chattisgarh), Urmila Singh (Himachal Pradesh) and MK Narayanan (West Bengal).