Stalin Writes to CMs on Prez's Move on SC Order

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Sunday urged his counterparts in eight non-BJP ruled states to oppose the Presidential reference to the Supreme Court on deadlines for the President and governors over bills and sought their cooperation to "evolve a coordinated legal strategy" before the court and "present a united front".

- Divya Chandrababu

CHENNAI:

Stalin's letter to his counterparts comes in the backdrop of President Droupadi Murmu on May 13 putting forth 14 questions before the Supreme Court on constitutionality of its April 8 verdict, setting deadlines for the President and governors to clear the bills passed by state legislatures. The judgment came in the case filed by the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government against governor RN Ravi for sitting on bills for a long period.

"Obviously, the BJP-led Union government is attempting to unsettle this judgment, which can be invoked as a precedent by other states when faced with an obstinate governor. As the first limb of their ploy, the BJP government advised the President to seek a reference before the Supreme Court," Stalin alleged.

Stalin, who is also the DMK president, requested the chief ministers of non-BJP ruled states to oppose this reference sought by the President before the Supreme Court.