{"id":6352,"date":"2025-07-15T05:03:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T05:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=6352"},"modified":"2025-07-15T05:28:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T05:28:51","slug":"abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"The Abuse Of The Discretionary Powers Of The Governor To Interfere In The Functioning Of The State Government"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Discretionary_Powers_of_Governor_and_Constitutionalism\"><\/span>Discretionary Powers of Governor and Constitutionalism<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Constitutionalism\"><\/span>Constitutionalism<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Constitutionalism is the idea that the exercise of political power is limited by a written or unwritten constitution, with the purpose of protecting individual rights and promoting the common good. It is based on the principle that government must act within the bounds of the law, and that laws and institutions must be established to ensure that political power is exercised in a transparent, accountable, and fair manner.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Discretionary_Powers_of_Governor_and_Constitutionalism\" >Discretionary Powers of Governor and Constitutionalism<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Constitutionalism\" >Constitutionalism<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Governor_and_His_Discretionary_Powers\" >Governor and His Discretionary Powers<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Governors_Power_to_Appoint_the_Chief_Minister\" >Governor&#8217;s Power to Appoint the Chief Minister<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Examples_of_Abuse_of_This_Power\" >Examples of Abuse of This Power<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Governors_Power_to_Dissolve_the_State_Assembly\" >Governor&#8217;s Power to Dissolve the State Assembly<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Examples_of_Abuse_of_This_Power-2\" >Examples of Abuse of This Power<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Governors_Power_to_Recommend_Presidents_Rule\" >Governor&#8217;s Power to Recommend President&#8217;s Rule<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Examples_of_Abuse_of_This_Power-3\" >Examples of Abuse of This Power<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/abuse-of-governor-discretionary-powers-in-state-governance\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Governor_and_His_Discretionary_Powers\"><\/span>Governor and His Discretionary Powers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The governor is the constitutional head of a state in India and holds office for a five-year term. The governor is appointed by the President of India and has discretionary powers that are granted to him by the Constitution of India. These powers include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Appointment of the chief minister<\/li>\n<li>Dissolution of the state assembly<\/li>\n<li>Recommendation of President&#8217;s Rule<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The discretionary powers have been given to the governors to ensure that the state government functions smoothly and in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. The governor is empowered to act as a mediator between the state government and the Centre, and to resolve any disputes that may arise between them. These powers must be used in a manner that is consistent with the principles of constitutionalism and the democratic process.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Governors_Power_to_Appoint_the_Chief_Minister\"><\/span>Governor&#8217;s Power to Appoint the Chief Minister<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The governor has the power to appoint the chief minister of a state. The chief minister must have the support of a majority of the members of the state assembly and should be likely to command the support of a majority of the members.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples_of_Abuse_of_This_Power\"><\/span>Examples of Abuse of This Power<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Appointment of a minority government in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018, where the PDP-BJP coalition chief minister, not having a majority, was appointed.<\/li>\n<li>Appointment of B.S. Yediyurappa as the Chief Minister of Karnataka in 2007, even though BJP did not have a majority in the assembly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This has resulted in the subversion of the democratic process and has undermined the legitimacy of the state government.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Governors_Power_to_Dissolve_the_State_Assembly\"><\/span>Governor&#8217;s Power to Dissolve the State Assembly<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Indian Constitution grants the Governor discretionary power to dissolve the state assembly under certain circumstances, such as when a government loses the confidence of the assembly or when the governor perceives that the assembly is unable to perform its duties.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples_of_Abuse_of_This_Power-2\"><\/span>Examples of Abuse of This Power<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>In Jammu and Kashmir (1984), the governor dissolved the assembly despite the ruling party having a clear majority.<\/li>\n<li>In Arunachal Pradesh (2016), the governor dissolved the assembly while the ruling party was forming a government \u2014 an act later struck down by the courts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Judicial approaches have varied:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In <strong>Arunachal Pradesh vs. Rameshwar Prasad (2006)<\/strong>, the Supreme Court held the governor\u2019s actions unconstitutional.<\/li>\n<li>In <strong>S. R. Bommai vs. Union of India (1994)<\/strong>, the Court upheld the power but limited its scope to constitutional breakdown.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Courts have emphasized that governors must act in a non-partisan and non-political manner.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Governors_Power_to_Recommend_Presidents_Rule\"><\/span>Governor&#8217;s Power to Recommend President&#8217;s Rule<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Indian Constitution allows the Governor of a state to recommend President&#8217;s Rule if he believes that a state government is not functioning as per the Constitutional provisions.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples_of_Abuse_of_This_Power-3\"><\/span>Examples of Abuse of This Power<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>In Arunachal Pradesh (2016), the Supreme Court declared the recommendation of President\u2019s Rule unconstitutional due to partisan behavior by the Governor.<\/li>\n<li>In Uttarakhand (2016), the Supreme Court ruled the Governor\u2019s recommendation unconstitutional, citing lack of constitutional breakdown.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Abuse of this power can lead to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Suspension of elected government<\/li>\n<li>Administration by the central government<\/li>\n<li>Undermining of democratic process<\/li>\n<li>Erosion of public trust<\/li>\n<li>Political instability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The discretionary powers of the governor are an important aspect of the constitutional framework in India, but they have been subject to abuse by constitutional authorities. Various examples of powers that have been abused by governors have been discussed, leading to a digression from constitutionalism. This has had a significant impact on the functioning of state governments, undermining the democratic process and causing concern among scholars and citizens.<\/p>\n<p>The discretionary powers of the governor are meant to be exercised in a manner that is consistent with the principles of constitutionalism and the democratic process. It is crucial that these powers are used in a judicious and non-partisan manner to ensure that the constitutional framework and the democratic process are protected.<\/p>\n<p><br \/><b>References: <\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>M P Jain, Indian Constitutional Law (8th edn, LexisNexis 2018).<\/li>\n<li>Constitution of India, art 157.<\/li>\n<li>Constitution of India, art 163.<\/li>\n<li>Constitution of India, art 174.<\/li>\n<li>Constitution of India, art 356.<\/li>\n<li>Constitution of India, art 163.<\/li>\n<li>BBC News, &#8216;BJP&#8217;s J&amp;K Gamble: Why End Alliance with PDP Now?&#8217; (19 June 2018) https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-india-44525973 accessed 11 February 2023.<\/li>\n<li>Sanjay Kumar, &#8216;BJP&#8217;s rise in south India: The case of Karnataka&#8217; (2011) 43(1) Economic and Political Weekly 17.<\/li>\n<li>Constitution of India, Art. 356.<\/li>\n<li>M. J. Akbar, &#8220;Betrayal of Democracy: How the Indian State Deviated from Constitutionalism in Jammu and Kashmir,&#8221; Economic and Political Weekly 37, no. 22 (2002): 2073-2076.<\/li>\n<li>Congress vs. Governor of Arunachal Pradesh &amp; Ors. [2016] 10 SCC 1.<\/li>\n<li>Arunachal Pradesh vs. Rameshwar Prasad, W.P. (C) No.255 of 2005.<\/li>\n<li>S.R. Bommai v Union of India, AIR 1994 SC 1918.<\/li>\n<li>Constitution of India, art 356.<\/li>\n<li>Centre for Public Interest Litigation v Union of India, (2016) 7 SCC 1.<\/li>\n<li>Arunachal Pradesh v Union of India, (2016) 8 SCC 1.<\/li>\n<li>S. Datta, &#8216;Governors and the Erosion of Democracy in India&#8217; [2020] J DEMOCR 72.<\/li>\n<li>Granville Austin, \u2018Working a Democratic Constitution: The Indian Experience\u2019 (OUP 1999).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discretionary Powers of Governor and Constitutionalism Constitutionalism Constitutionalism is the idea that the exercise of political power is limited by a written or unwritten constitution, with the purpose of protecting individual rights and promoting the common good. It is based on the principle that government must act within the bounds of the law, and that<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":230,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[24],"class_list":{"0":"post-6352","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-constitutional-law","7":"tag-just-in"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/230"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6352"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6352\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}