States will be at whims of guv if nod to Bills withheld: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the power of the governor to permanently withhold assent to Bills would leave the state government, which is elected with majority, at his "whims and fancies".

- BHAVINI MISHRA

"Would we not be giving total powers to the governor to sit in over an appeal. The government elected with the majority will be at the whims and fancies of the governor," Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice B R Gavai, said.

The court was hearing the maintainability of the reference made by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143. The reference was concerning the April 8 ruling of the top court that set timelines for governors and the President to grant assent to bills passed by the legislature.