From Tamil Nadu to West Bengal: How governor RN Ravi’s switch impacts two poll-bound states | India Information

NEW DELHI: Is the BJP changing Raj Bhavans into “conflict rooms”? Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress thinks so, particularly after the Centre’s transfer to shift Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal. Appointment and switch of governors is a routine administrative choice, however when the change includes poll-bound states, allegations of political motives driving the choice is a given. Sarcastically, the ruling BJP has excessive stakes in each Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, states which go to polls in some months. In West Bengal, the BJP goes all out to oust Mamata-led Trinamool Congress authorities, whereas in Tamil Nadu, the saffron celebration has performed a key position in stitching anti-DMK coalition alongwith its ally the AIADMK.

Why has R N Ravi’s switch evoked sturdy reactions?RN Ravi’s tenure in Tamil Nadu has been eventful. Because the governor of the state, Ravi, a former deputy nationwide safety adviser, was steadily locked in public battles with the M Okay Stalin-led DMK authorities over completely different points. Little surprise the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has reacted to this modification with alarm.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that incoming governor R N Ravi is a “BJP cadre” and claimed that the sudden exit of C V Ananda Bose from Lok Bhavan was the results of stress from the Centre.“Have you ever seen how C V Ananda Bose was eliminated? I do know every part. He was threatened. They wish to distribute cash from Lok Bhavan. They need Lok Bhavan to be transformed right into a BJP celebration workplace. However all people could not comply with such whims and fancies of Delhi,” she alleged.

DMK MP P Wilson’s response sums all of it up: “I’m unhappy on two counts-firstly that DMK is dropping a star campaigner within the upcoming elections. R N Ravi was a continuing reminder of the BJP’s intentions with Tamil Nadu. Secondly, I’m unhappy for the folks of West Bengal and my good buddies on the All India Trinamool Congress. Wherever he (R N Ravi) goes, the casualty is the Structure, federal construction and parliamentary democracy,” the DMK’s Rajya Sabha member wrote on X.

Senior political analyst R Kannan welcomed the switch of R N Ravi. “He was on a stiff confrontational course with the state authorities and a few issues that he insisted on like enjoying the nationwide anthem originally of the meeting session have been fully off. Some issues just like the inadequacy of school academics have been apt. A blended efficiency however welcome departure,” he stated.The Trinamool leaders have been fast to assault the BJP for this “unilateral choice.” TMC’s deputy chief in Rajya Sabha Sagarika Ghose alleged: “By unilaterally appointing a brand new governor for Bengal, the Modi authorities once more shows its contempt for constitutional federalism. Raj Bhavans changing into BJP conflict rooms.” Why DMK MP referred to as RN Ravi celebration’s star campaignerR N Ravi, who took cost because the twenty sixth governor of Tamil Nadu in 2021, a couple of months after the DMK govt led by M Okay Stalin assumed workplace, had a tumultuous tenure within the state marked by recurrent confrontations with the state govt. Ravi walked out of the meeting with out delivering the customary handle for the fourth consecutive time this yr, alleging disrespect for the nationwide anthem.

The governor sat on a number of payments handed by the meeting prompting the state authorities to maneuver the Supreme Courtroom. There have been variations over the appointment of vice-chancellors resulting in a scenario the place 14 out of twenty-two universities within the state have been with no head for intervals starting from one to a few years.Then there have been policy-driven fights like over the Nationwide Training Coverage.And whereas all these points impacted the ruling DMK, what the BJP and its ally the AIADMK maybe would have been frightened about is the various confrontations that RN Ravi had with the state authorities over his remarks on Dravidian ideology and its icons. That maybe explains why MP P Wilson stated that DMK had misplaced a star campaigner. Maybe, not simply the DMK, but in addition the AIADMK can be relieved with this modification.Why is the Trinamool frightenedFor the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, confrontation with governors has been part of its politics for lengthy. It began with Jagdeep Dhankar, who as governor of West Bengal had frequent run-ins with the Mamata authorities. Then got here C V Ananda Bose. After a quick interval of bonhomie, his tenure was additionally crammed with confrontations over varied points. Now, with R N Ravi and his monitor file of confrontations with the DMK authorities, the Trinamool Congress can be prepared for one more spherical of turbulence. The BJP, as anticipated, has welcomed Ravi’s appointment. Senior West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh made an attention-grabbing comment when he stated that the change in Governor shouldn’t routinely be interpreted as a step in direction of the imposition of President’s Rule even whereas suggesting that the scenario within the state may result in such an final result if circumstances worsen.“New Governor is coming, and we welcome him. We’re completely satisfied that an IPS officer is taking the place of Governor. The legislation and order scenario in Bengal is in a really poor state, and we hope it’s going to enhance beneath his supervision,” Ghosh advised information company IANS.“If President’s Rule is to be imposed in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee can’t cease it. But when the Governor is modified, it doesn’t essentially imply that President’s Rule has been imposed. Nonetheless, due to their angle, President’s Rule may occur. The way in which the SIR course of has been disturbed and delayed, and the dearth of cooperation from their workers has led to violence,” he stated.The remarks partially clarify why the Trinamool has reacted aggressively to the brand new appointment. Already, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has claimed that outgoing governor Bose could have been pressured by Union dwelling minister Amit Shah to “serve sure political pursuits” forward of the meeting polls.Can governor act independently of elected state authoritiesThe Structure grants twin roles to the governor. The governor is the manager head of a state (Article 154) and likewise the constitutional consultant of the Centre. They act because the nominal head, usually performing on the recommendation of the chief minister and the council of ministers (Article 163), however they possess discretionary powers.Article 163 reads: “There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister on the head to help and advise the Governor within the train of his capabilities, besides in as far as he’s by or beneath this Structure required to train his capabilities or any of them in his discretion.” Clearly, the governor has discretionary powers. Supreme Courtroom lawyer and constitutional knowledgeable Gyanant Singh says “There isn’t any doubt that the governor has powers to behave independently of the state authorities beneath sure circumstances. Nonetheless, this energy shouldn’t be misused as is occurring in latest instances.”“Should you have a look at the textual content of the oath of workplace which a governor takes, it’s completely different from that of the political government and even judges, together with the Chief Justice of India, in to this point it says the governor will act to “protect, shield and defend the Structure and the legislation,” Gyanant Singh says.The oath is just like that of the President. Whereas for the political government and judges of the Supreme Courtroom, the oath talks of bearing “true religion and allegiance to the Structure of India” and never “protect, shield and defend the Consitution.” The Consitution bestows this particular duty on the Governor however downside arises when his actions are politically motivated and in opposition to the spirit of the Structure.The oath of workplace of Union ministers reads: “That I’ll uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, that I’ll faithfully and carefully discharge my duties as a Minister for the Union and that I’ll do proper to all method of individuals in accordance with the Structure and the legislation, with out concern or favour, affection or ill-will.”Clearly, the Structure offers the governor discretionary powers. However when this discretion seems to favour the celebration ruling on the Centre, it results in political controversy and allegations of misuse of the submit. The state governments have all the time demanded a say within the appointment of governors. The Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions have made suggestions to this impact. However clearly no political celebration has the need to implement these suggestions. So, this political tussle is unlikely to finish any time quickly.