Chennai: DMK MP and senior advocate P Wilson termed the Supreme Court’s order as a landmark judgment which has made governors obligated to give assent to the bills passed by a democratically elected govt without delay.
Wilson, who represented TN in the SC, told reporters here on Tuesday that the court has ruled such bills must be granted assent within 30 days.
“The court also ruled that governors must act strictly according to the aid and advice of the elected council of ministers. They should not act independently or arbitrarily,” he said.
Since the bill removing the governor as chancellor of state universities was also one among the 10 bills which were deemed as granted assent, Wilson said, only those who are nominated by TN govt can serve as chancellors henceforth. To a query, he said that based on the SC judgement, the turning down of TN’s Neet bill by the President could also be challenged. He said if the governor chooses to file a review petition against the SC order, the TN govt will argue strongly against it.
Meanwhile, political parties in TN, except the AIADMK and BJP, have welcomed the SC judgment. PMK founder S Ramadoss termed the verdict as ‘historic’. DMK allies including VCK have demanded the removal of Governor R N Ravi.
“The SC has taught a fitting lesson to the TN governor. The President should remove him,” said VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan. CPM state secretary P Shanmugam urged the President to recall the governor immediately. MDMK general secretary Vaiko said Ravi has lost the moral right to remain in the post.
“The judgment is a blow to the autocratic manner of functioning of the governor. TVK welcomes the order wholeheartedly,” said TVK general secretary N Anand.
CPI state secretary R Mutharasan also said the governor who “neglected his constitutional duties” should be sacked. TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai said the SC judgment was not only a blow to the anti- people activities of the governor but also to the BJP which has been diluting the Constitution.
Congratulating CM M K Stalin, MNM president Kamal Haasan said the “verdict restores meaning to democracy by ending the paralysis of elected govts.” IUML president K M Kader Mohideen said every Indian citizen will celebrate the verdict for generations.
At the secretariat, DMK MLAs distributed sweets to fellow MLAs celebrating the order.