About:

• Although envisaged as an apolitical head who must act on the advice of the council of ministers, the Governor enjoys certain powers granted under the Constitution, such as
  • giving or withholding assent to a Bill passed by the state legislature, or
    
    
  • determining the time needed for a party to prove its majority, or
    
    
  • which party must be called first do so, generally after a hung verdict in an election.
• There are, however, no provisions laid down for the manner in which the Governor and the state must engage publicly when there is a difference of opinion. The management of differences has traditionally been guided by respect for each other’s boundaries. 
  
  

Why such friction happen?

• The Constituent Assembly envisaged governor to be apolitical. But politicians become Governors and then resign to fight elections.
  
  
• The CM is answerable to the people. But the Governor is answerable to no one except the Centre.
  
  
• There is no provision for impeaching the Governor, who is appointed by the President on the Centre’s advice. While the Governor has 5-year a tenure, he can remain in office only until the pleasure of the President.
  
  
• In the Constitution, there are no guidelines for exercise of the Governor’s powers, including for appointing a CM or dissolving the Assembly. There is no limit set for how long a Governor can withhold assent to a Bill.
  
  

What reforms have been suggested?

• From the Administrative Reforms Commission of 1968 to Sarkaria Commission of 1988, several panels have recommended reforms, such as selection of the Governor through a panel comprising the PM, Home Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker and the CM, apart from fixing his tenure for five years.
  
  
• Recommendations have also been made for a provision to impeach the Governor by the Assembly. No government has implemented any of these recommendations.