Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
3. Governor should be qualified, non-partisan and above politics. Politicization of the post of Governor is unhealthy for Centre-State relations. Elaborate. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The role of Governor is again in a controversy. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan’s refusal to convene a special session of the Kerala Assembly on December 23, as initially requested by the government has brought everyone’s attention to increasing politicization of the post of Governor.
Key Demand of the question:
To throw on the role of Governor in Indian federalism and how partisan actions of the Governor cause strain in center state relationships.
Directive:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by mentioning how under article 155, Governor is appointed by the president under his warrant and seal. With governor being envisaged as senior statesman to help in smooth functioning of federal governments.
Body:
Mention about increasing politicization of the post of Governor and him/her acting as the ‘agent of center’. Mention the recent examples of Kerala, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Mention the reasons for the above such as interpretation of situational discretion and constitutional discretion of the Governor, Lack of Security of tenure, Horse trading and coalition politics, issues of selecting the chief minister, determining the timing for proving legislative majority, demanding information about day-to-day administration, taking apparently long time in giving assent to bills or reserving bills for the President, commenting adversely on specific policies of the state government and exercising powers of the governor as the chancellor of state universities.
Write about the impact it has on Center-State relations. centre-state relations have created widespread public sensitivity and opinion regarding various wrong doings of the centre through the office of the governor which have proved to be damaging for the essential federal structure in India.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to reduce politicization of the role of the governor as suggested by various committees.
