Chief Minister M K Stalin Takes On Centre Over Governor Powers

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has strongly criticized the Union Government’s decision to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on the powers of Governors regarding state Bills. He called the move a “desperate attempt” to weaken democratically elected state governments, especially those led by opposition parties.

The Union Government’s action, made through a Presidential Reference under Article 143 of the Constitution, has sparked backlash from multiple political fronts. Stalin and several left-leaning parties believe it’s a direct challenge to the powers of the states and the authority of the Supreme Court.

Chief Minister M K Stalin Calls for Unity Among Non-BJP States

In a firm statement, Chief Minister M K Stalin urged all non-BJP ruled states to come together in a legal battle to defend the spirit of the Constitution. “This is a dangerous move by the BJP-led central government to undermine state autonomy,” he said in a social media post.

I strongly condemn the Union Government’s Presidential reference, which attempts to subvert the Constitutional position already settled by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the Tamil Nadu Governor’s case and other precedents.

This attempt clearly exposes the fact that the Tamil Nadu…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 15, 2025

Stalin pointed out that the Supreme Court had already set clear expectations in the Tamil Nadu Governor case, stating that Governors must respond to Bills within a reasonable time. However, the new Presidential Reference appears to question whether timelines can even be imposed on Governors and the President, given that the Constitution doesn’t currently specify such limits.

The Tamil Nadu government had previously celebrated the top court’s ruling as a win for federalism. But with this new reference, Stalin believes the Centre is trying to dilute that progress. “It’s an attempt to paralyse state legislatures and legitimize delays in giving assent to important Bills,” he said.

A Coordinated Challenge to Federalism?

The issue of Governors delaying Bills in opposition-ruled states has been a growing concern. Tamil Nadu, in particular, has seen several confrontations between Chief Minister M K Stalin and Governor R N Ravi. The DMK government has accused the Governor of stalling key legislation, allegedly acting on behalf of the BJP to create obstacles.

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Stalin stated that the reference proves that the Tamil Nadu Governor had operated under the influence of the ruling party at the Centre. “This is not just about Tamil Nadu. It’s about the rights of all states governed by non-BJP parties,” he added.

Leaders from CPI and CPI(M) also voiced their opposition. CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby echoed Stalin’s concerns, accusing the Centre of attempting to centralize power and silence opposition governments. CPI’s D Raja highlighted how the Governor’s office is being “weaponised” to block the will of the people in states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

States’ Rights Under Threat

According to Stalin, the move is not only politically motivated but also legally unsound. By raising questions that the Supreme Court has already addressed, the Centre is undermining judicial authority, he said. He warned that if the trend continues, state governments may lose the ability to function effectively.

Stalin’s key accusations against the Union Government include:

• Weakening democratically elected state governments
• Encouraging Governors to delay or block legislation
• Undermining Supreme Court rulings
• Disrespecting the federal structure
• Using constitutional mechanisms for political advantage

He asked why the Centre was uncomfortable with setting reasonable timelines for Governors. “Are they trying to protect deliberate delays?” he questioned.

In what he called “a grave circumstance,” Stalin declared that Tamil Nadu would fight this legally and politically, vowing to protect the rights of its people and uphold the Constitution. “This is a clear threat to federalism,” he said.

Conclusion:

Chief Minister M K Stalin has taken a bold stand against the Union Government’s Presidential Reference, positioning himself as a strong defender of federal values and state rights. As tensions between the Centre and states continue to grow, this issue may evolve into a major legal and political battle in the coming months. Stalin’s call for unity among non-BJP states may set the tone for a broader pushback against what many view as central overreach.