People's Democracy

On UP Governor’s Role

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on October 29, 2005.

THE governor, under the constitution, should discharge his or her duties on the advice of the council of ministers. The federal character of the constitution does not permit the governor to bypass an elected state government. There are avenues for the governor to communicate his views to the state government, ascertain information and tender advice. The role of the governor of Uttar Pradesh has not always been in keeping with this framework. On certain issues such as assent to legislation passed by the assembly, decisions concerning the universities of which he is the chancellor, dealings with officers of the state government and some other actions disregarding the state government’s advice, there are grounds to believe that the governor has overstepped the limits of his office.

The CPI(M) has consistently maintained that the role of the governor should not transgress the rights and responsibilities of an elected state government. It is to be hoped that the constitutional norms under a federal set up are respected and abided by.