Tamil Nadu Triumphs: 10 Bills Become Law Without Governor’s Nod After Supreme Court Verdict
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin hails the verdict as a "victory for Indian states," ending years of friction between Raj Bhavan and the DMK government.
BNH NETWORK
Historic Verdict Breaks Deadlock Over Tamil Nadu Bills
Chennai- In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has enabled 10 Tamil Nadu bills — stalled for years — to become law without the Governor’s assent, calling the delay unconstitutional and setting new standards for gubernatorial conduct.
Governor’s Assent Deemed Unnecessary After Assembly Re-Passes Bills
The apex court held that once a bill is re-passed by the state Assembly, the Governor cannot reserve it for the President after previously withholding assent, a practice deemed "illegal" by the bench.
CM Stalin Hails Verdict as Victory for Federalism
Chief Minister MK Stalin welcomed the ruling, calling it a "historic moment" and a victory for India’s federal democracy, underlining that elected state governments cannot be held hostage by the Governor’s office.
Raj Bhavan vs Fort St. George: The Long Standoff
The bills had faced repeated pushbacks from Governor RN Ravi since 2020, despite being passed twice — sparking political friction and forcing the DMK government to approach the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Questions Years-Long Delay by Governor
In earlier hearings, the Supreme Court criticized the Governor’s extended silence, asking why it took him nearly three years to find ‘issues’ with the bills, and called for timely decisions in line with constitutional norms.
Article 200 Clarified: Governor's Role Not Above Constitution
The court reaffirmed the Governor’s limited scope under Article 200: assent, withhold, or refer — and that indefinite delays undermine parliamentary democracy, setting a de facto one-month window for future cases.
Ripple Effects Beyond Tamil Nadu
The verdict is expected to influence Centre-State relations across India, especially in non-BJP ruled states where Governors have been accused of obstructing legislative processes.
FACT FILE: Tamil Nadu Bills vs Governor Showdown
| Year | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-2023 | 10 bills passed by Tamil Nadu Assembly (including 2 under AIADMK) | Governor withheld assent, twice |
| 2023 | DMK moves Supreme Court seeking intervention | SC questions delay, seeks explanation |
| Feb 2024 | SC warns both parties to resolve the deadlock | No resolution reached |
| April 2025 | SC rules withholding of assent "illegal" | Bills deemed law from date of re-presentation |
