Supreme Court raps Tamil Nadu Governor over refusal to appoint minister
The Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for declining to reinstate a DMK leader as minister despite the top court’s order staying his conviction.
Hearing a petition by the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government, a Supreme Court bench expressed dismay at the Governor’s reluctance to induct K Ponmudi into the cabinet. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud observed that Mr Ravi was “defying the Supreme Court” and questioning the state government’s authority to choose ministers.
The bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra noted that though SC temporarily suspended Ponmudi’s conviction, the Governor argued his acquittal was still pending. The CJI asserted Governors cannot deny the CM’s wishes as India follows parliamentary democracy.
Directly addressing the Centre, CJI Chandrachud asked, “If the Governor does not follow the Constitution, what does the government do?” He gave Ravi one day’s time to appoint Ponmudi or face adverse orders.
The Chief Justice further said Governors have only ceremonial powers and should not challenge elected cabinets. This is the latest in a series of disputes between Ravi and the DMK regime over delays in clearing bills and policy decisions since 2021.
MK Stalin had also complained about Ravi to the President last year. The Supreme Court verdict makes clear that Governors must respect constitutional proprieties in their relations with state establishments.
