The Governor as the constitutional head has to be the custodian of the entire State and ensure its best interests at all times. He cannot act as a stooge or agent of the political party in power at the Centre in forming and dislodging governments while the fundamentals of democracy and righteousness are deceitfully trampled upon.
In recent times we have seen once too often the Governors acting at the diktats from the headquarters of the ruling party and this is absolutely outrageous. Discretionary powers have to be exercised very judiciously and a Governor cannot seek shelter under the immunity he enjoys by law.
The recent very sordid manner in which the Maharashtra Governor deviously burning the midnight oil to secretly and swiftly early morning swear in the Chief Minister and his Deputy was very high-handed.
It’s high time the nation debates on the manner in which Governors are appointed and whether we need ornamental puppet Governors needlessly burdening the taxpayer. Governors cannot end up being mere rubber stamps as they constitutionally have a major role to play in overseeing that the State is well administered strictly in accordance with law. They should be appointed on merit as the Raj Bhavans cannot end up being dens for politricking and shelter homes to rehabilitate the deadwood of the ruling political party. After all, do we really need a “spare wheel” at the state level?
