Question 8.
Why are many States unhappy about the role of the Governor?
Answers
ANSWER :
The founding fathers of the Indian Constitution were very clear about the role of the Governor. He is to work in dual capacity as the constitutional head of the state and as the representative of the Centre. It implies naturally that a Governor acts like an effective instrument of the State government in normal times but as an agent of his real masters at Delhi in abnormal times.
The role of the Governor has been criticized the most because of the Governor has failed to maintain a balance between their two positions. It is alleged that the Governor has almost always served as an agent of the Centre. As an agent of the centre he works as an agent of the Union Cabinet rather than of the President. Whenever the ministry of a state is to dissolve ,the Governor is expected to help the Centre. Different Governors of different states and even the same Governor of the same state adopted different attitude towards the same kind of constitutional problem just to help the Congress. After the elections 1967, non-congress ministry in more than half of the state came into existence with Congress in power at the Centre. This situation made the position of the Governor important and controversial as they were used in toppling non Congress Ministries in some of the states.
G.D.Tapase , the Governor of Haryana appointed Bhajan Lal at the Chief Minister on 23rd May, 1982 in the evening ignoring the fact that he had himself asked Devi LAL to demonstrate his strength on 24th may 1982 in the morning. It is strange that Tapase acted against the very procedure that he had himself laid down.
In case of defection, causing confusion of majority support, certain Governor asked the Chief Minister to face the Assembly while others helped the respective Chief Minister by proroguing the Assembly so that a vote of no confidence may not be passed.
The Governor of West Bengal ,Dharam Vira, dismissed Ajay Mukherjee the Chief Minister as he was not calling the session of the Vidhan Sabha.
The Governor of Madhya Pradesh abruptly prorogued the House on the advice of the Chief Minister.
The opposition alleged that it was done to save the Congress government. Akali Dal, DMK, CPM etc, were not happy with the role of the Governor. Karunanithi of DMK was of the opinion that there should be no Governor.
HOPE THIS ANSWER WILL HELP YOU
-The governor also owes authority of suspending elected state government and can also dissolve the legislative assembly.
-The governor is appointed by Central government therefore,there is a possibility of the governors office being used to control and remove the state government.
-The governor is not elected but appointed by the central government and can be a retired military officer,civil servant or politician.