Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged chief ministers of eight non-BJP ruled states to stand united against the Union government’s move to seek a Presidential Reference challenging a recent Supreme Court verdict on governors’ role in state legislation.
In letters sent on Sunday, Stalin called for a “coordinated legal strategy” to defend the April 8 Supreme Court ruling that set time-bound directives for governors and the President to act on bills passed by state legislatures. The judgment, hailed as historic by Stalin, was based on a petition by his DMK-led government against Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, who had delayed action on several state bills.
“The BJP-led Union government is trying to unsettle a landmark verdict that protects the rights of states and curbs gubernatorial overreach,” Stalin wrote. “They have now advised the President to refer this matter back to the Supreme Court—an act of deliberate subversion.”
The President’s May 13 submission to the court posed 14 questions about the scope and implications of the verdict, prompting Stalin to seek support from other regional leaders. He reached out to chief ministers from Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Punjab, and West Bengal.
Stalin stressed that the judgment not only supports Tamil Nadu’s legislative rights but also reinforces the broader federal framework of the Indian Constitution. He accused the Union government of misusing the role of governors to hinder the functioning of opposition-led states.
He cited multiple examples of alleged obstruction, including delays in assenting to bills, interference in routine governance, and misuse of authority over university appointments. “The Constitution’s silence on these matters was based on an assumption that constitutional authorities would act with moral integrity,” he said.
Stalin emphasized that the Supreme Court’s verdict upholds the autonomy of state governments and sets a precedent to prevent undue interference from centrally appointed governors. He called the Presidential Reference a “sinister attempt” to overturn a settled issue.
“At this crucial moment, I appeal to all non-BJP state governments and regional parties committed to federal values to join hands in this legal battle,” Stalin concluded.
This isn’t the first time Stalin has taken initiative on federal issues. He previously led efforts against NEET and the proposed delimitation exercise, and has consistently pushed for a united front among opposition states on matters affecting state rights and autonomy.
