sc-ruling-on-tn-guv-a-big-win-for-all-states-cm-stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday celebrated the Supreme Court’s sharp criticism of Governor R.N. Ravi’s delay in assenting to over ten bills passed by the State Assembly, calling it a “historic judgement” and “a victory for all the States in India”.

 

Addressing the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Stalin declared, “I would like to inform this House about good news. Our Tamil Nadu government has got one historical judgement. Governor returned various Bills, which were passed in this Assembly, without giving assent.”

 

“Tamil Nadu government initiated a case against this before Supreme Court. Supreme Court has said that the Governor withholding Bill is illegal. Supreme Court has given a historical judgement. This is a big victory not only for Tamil Nadu but for all the States in India. This judgment is a victory for all the State governments,” the Chief Minister said.

 

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan delivered its verdict on a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the Governor’s inaction.

Also read: SC reprimands TN Governor, clears 10 withheld Bills

 

The apex court found the Governor’s withholding of assent to the bills as “illegal and erroneous in law”, stating that the Governor “must act in aid and advice of the State Legislature”. The court pointed out that the oldest bill had been pending since 2020, despite having been re-enacted by the legislature.

 

Governor Ravi had held back ten bills passed by the Assembly, instead reserving them for the President’s assent. The Supreme Court observed that this step was taken only after prolonged inaction, and notably came soon after the Court’s ruling in a similar case involving the Punjab Governor.

 

In its judgement, the Court emphasised that the Indian Constitution does not provide for an “absolute veto” or a “pocket veto”. Under Article 200, the Governor is constitutionally obliged to either give assent, withhold it, or reserve the bill for the President’s consideration.

 

The ruling has been hailed by legal experts and political leaders alike as a reaffirmation of the federal structure of governance in India, and a significant assertion of the autonomy of elected State legislatures.