Role of the Governor in India: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

In India, there is a concept of cooperative federalism. The two governments that are union and state work collectively. They are not independent in their spheres. This is the reason that the governor has a unique position in linking the two sets of government. Governor is required to act as a bridge between Union and State. He has to communicate the state’s aspiration to the union as an elder brother and brings issues of national significance at the state level. At present, the position of the Governor has been reduced to a retirement package for aging politicians, and political considerations have come to trump the constitutional requirements of an appointed (as opposed to ‘elected’) Head of the state.1 The continued practise of changing Governors with a change in the Central Government has called into doubt the office's neutrality and integrity. Sometimes demands have been raised to abolish the post of Governor. Sarkaria Commission and Punchhi Commission have given some recommendations/ guidelines regarding appointment of the Governor.