Modi government prevails: West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan quits

ENS & PTI, New Delhi | June 30,2014: Following consistent pressure from the BJP-led central government, West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan on Monday resigned, months ahead of his scheduled departure in January next year.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, refrained from commenting on the Narayanan’s resignation as she said that he was officially leaving on July 4.

Home Ministry sources said the Governor has tendered his resignation.

The 80-year-old became the fourth person occupying the gubernatorial post to put in his papers since the NDA government prodded some of the Governors appointed during UPA rule to quit.

The Governor, who earlier said it was for the Centre to decide whether he should continue, seemed rattled by the visit of a CBI team at Raj Bhavan on Friday last. The team recorded Narayan’s statement on the issue AgustaWestland helicopter deal during his tenure as National Security Adviser. CBI’s was seen as pressure tactic by the Modi government because no Governor has been ever quizzed by the CBI while in office.

The resignation came weeks after Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami had telephoned some of the Governors, appointed by the previous UPA regime, to step down after the Narendra Modi government assumed charge.

Nagaland Governor Ashwani Kumar, Uttar Pradesh Governor B L Joshi and Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt have put in their papers in the last few days.

Narayanan, a former IPS officer who had served as Director of the Intelligence Bureau and was also the National Security Advisor, was appointed as the Governor of the state in January 2010.

All the four Governors who have resigned so far are either former IPS or IAS officers. Joshi and Kumar are former IPS officers while Dutt is a former IAS officer.

Sources said the government was considering appointing some BJP veterans as Governors in around ten states.

Narayanan officially leaves on July 4.

“As far as I know he is officially leaving on July 4,” Banerjee told reporters.

Asked to react on the circumstances under which Narayanan resigned, Banerjee said, “This is a constitutional post. I won’t say anything about it now.”

Asked if the state government will accord Narayanan a farewell, Banerjee said,” I don’t believe in giving farewell. I believe in welcoming a person.”

Banerjee also said that there would be a small reshuffle of her ministry on July 2.