The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Governor's move

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Friday, Mar 04, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Governor's move

Sir, — Governor Syed Sibtey Razi's move of swearing in the JMM chief, Shibu Soren, as Chief Minister of Jharkhand has created an unprecedented crisis of trust between the ruling UPA Government at the Centre and the BJP-led NDA Opposition.

No doubt the mandate in the State was fractured. But the BJP-JD(U) combine was clearly the larger alliance. The Governor should have invited the alliance to form a government. By not doing so, he has trampled upon all canons and conventions of parliamentary democracy.

Jasvir Singh Aujla,
Patiala, Punjab

* * *

Sir, — The move is a mockery of the democratic process of conducting elections. Why not in future authorise Governors to nominate persons of their choice to form the government? It will at least save the taxpayers' money.

K.N. Ramasubramanian,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The Governor of Jharkhand has done the right thing by keeping out the communal forces and giving a chance to the secular forces, represented by Mr. Soren. Mr. Soren has always been a pillar of democracy and has come to the rescue of the Congress Government in the past. What better democratic credentials can one ask for?

Sundari Murugan,
Mumbai

* * *

Sir, — It seems anything and everything can be justified in the name of secularism.

Vinoo Ramakrishnan,
New Jersey

* * *

Sir, — Congratulations to the Governor of Jharkhand for the speed with which he acted in installing the new Ministry.

I am reminded of the good old joke about the home team that could beat any cricketing team in the world — it included its two umpires.

K. Chandrasekaran,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Democracy is no longer of the people, by the people and for the people; it is by the Governor, of the alliance, and for the Centre.

K. Vaidyanathan,
Paloncha, A.P.

* * *

Sir, — The NDA's tactics in Bihar in 2000 (when the Governor invited Nitish Kumar to form a government) have boomeranged on it now. The post of Governor is becoming a puppet in the hands of the Central Government.

It makes a mockery of our federal system. The Constitution should be amended saying politicians should not be appointed Governors.

N. Lakshminarayanan,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — It is clear that a Governor's post can be misused by the party in power at the Centre to further its political goals. The post should be abolished. It serves no purpose other than draining the taxpayers' money.

K. Chinmay,
Hyderabad

* * *

Sir, — The days of using the Governor's office to install governments of its choice are back in vogue with the Congress back in power at the Centre.

Chandrasekar Nagarajan,
San Jose, California

* * *

Sir, — The Jharkhand episode is a xerox of the Goa episode. Are we not playing with democracy?

Raman Tiwari,
Ranchi

* * *

Sir, — The installation of the JMM-led Government in Ranchi shows that political parties can go to any extent to remain in power. The solution lies in putting an end to the appointment of puppet Governors.

Murthy Gummadi,
Auburn Hills, Michigan

* * *

Sir, — The Raj Bhavans have become an operating station of the Central Power House.

P. Kannan,
Srivilliputtur, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — It is clear that the Congress is misusing its powers and playing politics of vendetta. What has happened in Jharkhand is truly undemocratic.

Ramji Sahu,
Visakhapatnam, A.P.

* * *

Sir, — One wonders what has happened to the constitutional heads of States!

S. Lakshmi Priya,
Srirangam, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — All the political parties demand that the Governor's post be abolished when they are in the Opposition. They call it a drain on the exchequer. But once in power, they find Governors useful to do their bidding. It is time the President intervened and a semblance of decency was restored.

M.M. Kale,
Kakinada, A.P.

* * *

Sir, — Governors, as custodians of the Constitution, are expected to act in a balanced, transparent manner. Clearly, the Governor of Jharkhand has failed to do so.

K.V. Rajasekhar,
Neyveli, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — The Governors' roles in both Goa and Jharkhand are debatable. Both have acted against the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission.

T.S. Ramachandran,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The happenings have certainly lowered the image of the high office of Governor.

Bhama Bhaskaran,
Srirangam, T.N.

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