The 'State' of the Governor! [Originally posted on Wordpressdotcom on 14 Sep 2011]

This piece is inspired by the TNIE Editorial online (13 Sep 2011) titled “Governors should not be Centre’s errand boys”  bit.ly/nyALvv

Governors of States are not elected representatives and are appointed to the office by the President of India on the recommendation of the central Government. Ideally the Governors thus appointed need to command the respect of not only the ruling party but the other parties as well. But then, the party (read Congress) in power at the centre takes undue advantage and recommends its own party representtatives [someone who has been their bête noire within the party,] for these positions. Such Governors eventually spell trouble for the government in the states where their own party is not in power. Thus the centre achieves an undue advantage as far as the administration is concerned, in the states where other parties may be in power.

Governors should be apolitical and not stooges of the ruling party at the centre. However if we look at the current scenario in our great democracy, one would be surprised, maybe even distraught! Of the 27 current State Governors, 19 belong to the Congress Party and were ministers in one capacity or the other before being ‘elevated’ to the ‘prestigious’ position of Governor. (The erstwhile ‘Home Minister’ holds the appointment for two states- Punjab and Rajasthan). The remaining 8 are not directly from a political party but most had something to do with the Congress. More importantly, there is not one Governor who is from ANY other political party. This in spite of 15 states being ruled by NON-CONGRESS governments, including 10 by the BJP & its allies. Any surprise then that the Beniwals and Bharadwajs enjoy the power vested in them and act as the centre’s henchmen and more?

While on the subject, let us take a quick peek at the President’s office as well. We have had 12 Heads so far. Of the 12 only Dr. S Radhakrishnan and Dr. Zakir Hussain did not ‘belong’ to the Congress though they were probably inclined to it and ONLY ONE was apolitical- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who incidentally took office during the tenure of a non-congress government- the NDA- at the centre! And is it a coincidence that all the three statesmen had ‘Doctor’ in their titles!!

If this trend of appointment to the high offices of Governor will change only if a ‘Bill’ is introduced, so be it! It is about time too.