New Delhi, May 29 (PTI): Congress today said it expects the governors appointed during its rule to be retained and it has not asked such appointees to resign in the wake of change of guard at the Centre.

“The party gives no directions to those appointed to Constitutional positions. We have a complete hands-off policy. Irrespective of change of government, constitutional mandate, decorum and tradition need to be respected by the government of the day, that is our expectation.” “We expect the government of the day to follow primary norms, traditions and practices of continuation of constitutionally-appointed persons to high offices,” party spokesman Randeep Surjewala said. He was reacting to a query whether the Congress high command has asked the Governors to quit in the wake of change of guard.

Media reports have it that the fate of more than 10 governors, including Karnataka’s H.R. Bhardwaj and Punjab’s Shivraj V. Patil, appointed by the previous UPA government, hangs in balance with indications that the new dispensation may politely ask them to vacate the Raj Bhavans.