INDIA
There’s some consternation among political commentators, who seem to have discovered the flaws inherent in our bicameral legislature derived from the Westminster system of Great Britain.
There’s some consternation among political commentators, who seem to have discovered the flaws inherent in our bicameral legislature and federal system derived from the Westminster system of Great Britain.
Despite the hand-wringing of these novice politics enthusiasts like Uday Chopra about Vajubhai Vala being a BJP-RSS man, the truth is that most governors are former politicians, handed plum posts, as a sort of consolation prize at the fag end of their careers. The Governor's post, promulgated by the Government of India Act 1935, is another British Raj law which hinders more than it helps.
The governors of each state, like presidents, are political appointees and few like former President KR Naryanan can be impartial. In fact, Naryanan also created a precedence by dispensing with the idea of calling the single largest party, instead making it mandatory that a Prime Ministerial claimant back up his claims with letters of support from alliance partners. Others, it goes without saying, didn’t show the same sense of propriety.
The most notorious of them was Rajiv Gandhi’s former Home Minister Buta Singh. As Home Minister, Buta Singh was infamous for striking down non-Congress state governments to the point that Rajiv Gandhi had jokingly told him: “Buta Singhji, ab aap apni kirpan andar rakhiye." (Buta Singhji, now please sheath your kirpan.)
As Governor of Bihar, he was severely castigated by the Supreme Court for recommending the dissolution of the Bihar assembly fearing that a pre-poll NDA alliance of JD(U) and BJP which had secured 92 seats was attempting woo LJP (29 MLAs) to cobble together a majority.
When the Assembly Elections held in February 2005 threw up a fractured mandate with no party reaching the magic majority figure. NDA had staked claim of forming the government.
The Janata Dal (United) had won 55 seats while the BJP had 37. RJD got 75 while the Congress merely had 10.
When NDA claimed it had the support of 115 MLAs, Buta Singh wrote to the Centre alleging that legislators of Paswan’s LJP which won 29 seats was being wooed by the NDA. Buta Singh recommended that the Assembly be dissolved, and the Union Cabinet met at midnight to accept the governor’s report. A letter was faxed to President Kalam’s camp in Moscow who approved the recommendation and the Assembly was dissolved.
Elections were again held in October-November and the Nitish Kumar-led NDA came back to power, displacing Lalu’s regime.
The SC noted that Buta Singh’s action ‘reeked of malafide intent’. Then Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal observed: “All canons of propriety were thrown to the wind …. Undue haste made by the governor smacks of malafide intent.”
The SC observed that Governor’s drastic and extreme action under Article 356 can’t be justified and came down hard on the Centre as well. The apex body said that the governor had clearly ‘mislead’ the Council of Ministers.
This led Congress leader and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who fought against the Karnataka governor’s decision in SC, to claim that it was the Union Home Ministry’s job to cross-check Buta Singh’s claims. In fact, such was the force of the SC judgement that even Abdul Kalam considered stepping down as President after the SC overturned his order.
The former press secretary of APJ Abdul Kalam, SM Khan, said that Kalam considered resigning after the Supreme Court quashed the presidential proclamation dissolving the Bihar assembly. SM Khan said that Kalam was reluctant to sign the proclamation initially.
After then Bihar governor Buta Singh recommended dissolution of the assembly, the Union cabinet approved it and forwarded it to him for approval. When the SC quashed the proclamation, Kalam was apologetic, saying he should have rejected the cabinet's decision. It was at this time that Kalam thought of resigning, claims SM Khan. After the fiasco, Buta Singh resigned and was replaced by former Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
As for newly woke political scientists, it's important to remember that the BJP has a long way to go before it can compete with Congress on grounds of impropriety. As for allegedly misusing the Governor's post, it's just a game that BJP has learned from the Congress.
Chhaava box office collection day 2: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna film mints Rs 67 crore
Over 10 injured in stampede-like situation at New Delhi Railway Station, probe on
Amitabh Bachchan was 'mind-blown' in a Bangkok strip club, reveals...: 'He was wearing...'
Watch: Gautam Adani and his wife offered 'chadar' at Ajmer Sharif Dargah
European man shares 10 lessons that shattered his western mindset after moving to India
'India needs strong production base, not empty words': LoP Rahul Gandhi's veiled dig at centre
Ranveer Allahbadia says he’s getting death threats from..., promises he won’t...
Bad news for Rohit Sharma ahead of Champions Trophy 2025, BCCI to take huge step on India captain
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries buys new company for Rs 6.73 crore, it is called...
Who was Lavoo Mamledar, former MLA who died after altercation with...in...
World's largest gold deposit worth over Rs 7 lakh crore found in China, hidden beneath....
Video Viral: Monalisa Bhosle, Mahakumbh sensation, takes first-ever flight to Kozhikode
Who Owns Burj Khalifa? Know the SURPRISING owner of the world's tallest building
Legendary Bengali singer-songwriter Pratul Mukhopadhyay passes away at 82
Whale swallows, then spits out kayaker as moment is captured on camera; WATCH viral video
'I do not regret being part of it': Raghu Ram opens up on India's Got Latent controversy
Meet influencer Ashley Clair who claims Tesla CEO Elon Musk is the father of her child
After Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh cuts ties with Ranveer Allahabadia – Here's what happened!
NASA’s curiosity Rover captures stunning twilight clouds on Mars, leaves internet in awe
Who is Ashley St. Clair? Author claiming she secretly gave birth to Elon Musk's child
Google secures Mumbai's BKC offices, renews lease with staggering monthly rent of over Rs.....
Meet man, who sold previous company for Rs 1 lakh crore, he is...
American whiskey Bourbon set to take over Indian market, here's how
Ten devotees from Chhattisgarh killed as car collides with bus enroute to Maha Kumbh
What happens after UPSC? Civil servants share about life at LBSNAA
Mukesh Ambani, sons Akash and Anant take holy dip at Mahakumbh, woman shares video; watch here
'What Akshay Kumar does is..': Ahmed Khan reveals superstar uses teleprompter for…, defends his…
Maha Kumbh fame IIT Baba aka Abhay Singh's 10th, 12th marksheet goes viral
Ameesha Patel shares 'fraudulent promise' video of Gadar 2 because Anil Sharma...: 'How will you...'
After Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi’s teammate Federico Redondo takes dig at PSG, claims...
Who is Abhinav Chandrachud? Lawyer representing YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, he is son of famous...
India's Got Latent controversy: YouTuber Apoorva Makhija kicked out from IIFA? Here's what we know
Former WWE wrestler gives BIG warning to Ranveer Allahbadia, says, 'people like him have...'
Ukraine's Zelenskyy makes BIG claim, says Donald Trump can push Putin to...
Anti-Valentine’s week: From Breakup Day to Slap Day, 7 days explained
Saturday bank holiday: Are banks open or closed on February 15? Check here
Meet Fearless Nadiya, first female Bollywood action star, she was from...
Prateik Babbar shares passionate kiss with Priya Banerjee in dreamy wedding photos
Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna’s Chhaava is a historic epic that roars to glory
'India, US stand firmly together in fight against terrorism': PM Modi
Ranveer Allahbadia hires Ex-Chief Justice of India's son as his lawyer, approaches Supreme Court
CanCentra Review 2025: Scam Or Legit Trading Platform? - Canada Facts!
PAFI Kabupaten Gunungkidul Launches Pharmacist Training Program to Elevate Healthcare Standards
Oswal Energies introduces Advanced Clean Energy Solutions at India Energy Week 2025