Thiruvananthapuram: Welfare Party state general secretary Surendran Karipuzha expressed concern that the Constitution Bench’s decision to overturn the earlier Supreme Court two-judge bench order which had set a time limit for the President and Governors to sign bills passed by legislatures, could once again open the door for Governors to exercise excessive authority.
He said the previous Supreme Court verdict had acted as a restraint on the Centre’s attempts to use Sangh Parivar Governors to keep states ruled by non-BJP parties under control. With that verdict now struck down, he warned that the Union government, which he claimed has little regard for federalism, may misuse the situation.
The Supreme Court, in today’s order, also pointed out that Governors withholding bills without valid reasons is unconstitutional. It stated that if a Governor has disagreements with a bill passed by the legislature, they must either send it to the President or return it to the legislature for reconsideration instead of indefinitely keeping it pending. If the legislature passes the bill again and returns it, the Governor is bound to sign it.
However, the absence of time limits for these procedures can leave state administrations helpless. While the Supreme Court noted that states can approach courts if bills are withheld indefinitely, he argued that this could lead to more prolonged legal battles. Such conflicts may result in extended administrative paralysis, Surendran Karipuzha added.
He said the Supreme Court should have issued a more precise ruling that would prevent legal disputes and administrative deadlock.