New Delhi, Feb 9 (UNI) President Pranab Mukherjee today called upon all those holding constitutional posts to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution in the backdrop of controversy over the role of Arunachal Governor J P Rajkhowa. Underlining that the nation had grown from strength to strength since Independence primarily due to its steadfast adherence to the principles enshrined in the Constitution, the President said, 'It is incumbent on us all who hold constitutional positions to maintain the sanctity of the Constitution.' His comments that came during his address to a conference of Governors, assume significance in the wake of the recent happenings in Arunachal Pradesh where the Congress has charged Mr Rajkhowa with violating Constitutional norms to topple a democratically elected government in the state. Mr Mukherjee described the Constitution as an "enduring document that reflects our aspirations and the avenues to achieve them, in an inclusive manner". The conference at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was attended by 23 Governors and Lt Governors of the states and union territories. Dignitaries who participated in the inaugural session of the conference included Vice-President M Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jitendra Singh and NITI Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya. Referring to the recent terrorist attacks, the President said, 'States having international borders were affected by terrorist attacks that had clear external linkages. Volatile external security environment makes it incumbent on us to upgrade our defence capabilities. At the same time, we have to continue our efforts at resolving all outstanding international issues through peaceful dialogue and negotiations.' Among those who spoke on the first day of the conference were Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind, Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat, Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan, Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy, Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu, Kerala Governor Justice P Sathasivam, Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, Chhattisgarh Governor Balram Das Tandon, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, Nagaland Governor P B Acharya, Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli, Sikkim Governor Shriniwas Patil, Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul, Mizoram Governor Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma (retd), Odisha Governor S C Jamir, Madhya Prdesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Andhra Pradesh Governor S L Narasimhan. Terming 2015 as a difficult year, the President said,' We... Picking up from para one, line one of DI13, President-Governors Conference Two New Delhi. UNI AR/NAZ SW RSA 1914