BJP Used Guvs To Run Parallel Govts

The BJP, in its pursuit of electoral gains and content with its dominance in northern states, continues to marginalize and deceive Tamil Nadu and Tamils

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The Bharatiya Janata Party led government at the Centre seeks to centralize authority and erode the rights of states in education, finance, taxation and administrative powers, said Tamil Nadu's chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin in an interview with Divya Chandrababu. He claimed that the BJP was consistently using Governors to interfere in the affairs of the opposition ruled states and that a delimitation exercise based on population is aimed at marginalizing the South. Edited Excerpts

What is the political significance of your legal victory in the Supreme Court (SC) against Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi, which also set timelines for governors across the country and the President of India to act on bills of states?

This landmark judgment by the Supreme Court marks a defining moment in the constitutional battle for the rights of states. The court has unequivocally affirmed that the authority of the legislature-composed of the government and members elected by the people-carries the greatest democratic legitimacy. It has ruled that a governor, occupying a nominated and ceremonial position, is constitutionally bound to give assent to a bill duly passed by the legislature.

The judgment makes it clear that withholding assent indefinitely in Raj Bhavan or unilaterally referring the bill to the President, in breach of constitutional boundaries, is unlawful. In underlining a timeframe within which the Governor must act, the Supreme Court has upheld the majesty of our Constitution. This verdict, secured in the case filed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, casts a luminous spotlight on the democratic rights of all Indian States.

How is your relationship with governor Ravi and what is your opinion about Governors holding political events?