New Delhi, Nov 22 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has voiced disappointment with the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion regarding the powers of Governors under Article 200 of the Constitution.
In a strongly worded statement, the party’s Polit Bureau argued that the opinion fails to curb the growing “assault on the rights of states” driven by the over-centralisation of powers at the Centre.
“The Supreme Court’s advisory opinion is disappointing. It will not in any way check the assault on the rights of states that is ongoing due to the over-centralisation of powers in the hands of the Centre,” the statement read.
The left party criticised the idea that Governors possess discretionary powers in handling bills passed by state legislatures and that no specific time limits can be enforced.
The Polit Bureau cautioned: “By stating that Governors have discretionary powers, the opinion will only encourage the extra-constitutional powers Governors are exercising in opposition-ruled states.”
The party also lashed out at the suggestion that a governor is not bound to assent to a bill adopted a second time by a state legislature. The CPI(M) cautioned that this opens the door for indefinite delays, as the Governor “can instead refer the bill to the President and thereby get it indefinitely delayed.”
While the CPI(M) noted the limited relief offered by the Supreme Court, allowing for judicial intervention in cases of prolonged inaction by Governors, it dismissed this provision as “ambiguous and vague.”
The party pointed out that the opinion provides no clear definition of what constitutes “prolonged inaction or delay.”
The party further stated that the Supreme Court advisory is “devoid of any constitutional checks and balances on the arbitrary functioning of governors who are acting as political agents of the Centre.”
