In a recent development, the Supreme Court of India has once again found itself addressing the ongoing power struggle between Governors and Chief Ministers in various states, with a particular focus on the state of Punjab. This dispute between Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has brought the issue to the forefront once more.
The Supreme Court, in its remarks, emphasized the need for Governors to act impartially and not align themselves with any political party. Justice Chandrachud, presiding over the case, reminded Governors that they are not elected representatives of the people and should not forget their constitutional role.
The conflict between Governors and Chief Ministers in India has a long history, with allegations of Governors showing bias toward the central government being a recurring theme. Whenever a new Prime Minister assumes office, it is not uncommon for Governors in various states to be replaced. This practice has been observed during the terms of Prime Ministers like Indira Gandhi and Morarji Desai.
To understand the selection process of Governors, it’s important to note that the President of India appoints Governors on the recommendation of the Central Cabinet. However, this often leads to Governors leaning towards the ruling party’s interests, which is a natural outcome of the appointment process.
In the case of Punjab, the state government raised objections to seven bills passed by the legislature, including the Punjab GST Amendment Bill and the Indian Stamp Amendment Bill, which were approved in November. This ongoing dispute has disrupted the functioning of the state government, prompting the Supreme Court to schedule a hearing on the matter for the 10th of this month.
It’s worth noting that Punjab is not the only state embroiled in such a controversy. States like Telangana and Kerala have also taken their issues with Governors blocking bills to the Supreme Court. Additionally, the friction between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and then Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has reached extreme levels of animosity.
The clash between state governments and Governors raises questions about the role of Governors and the need for a more impartial appointment process. While these disputes often have personal or political motivations, they can have detrimental effects on administrative functions in the states, impacting governance and the people’s interests.
