Governor is mere rubber stamp post: Stalin

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticizes Governor as a 'rubber stamp,' emphasizes state power over Governor's role.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday sharply criticised the Governor, describing the post as “a mere rubber stamp” with no real utility.

“If a Governor, appointed as an ‘agent’ of the Union government, temporarily blocks the schemes brought out for the people by the Chief Minister, what is the respect given to the votes cast by them? Why conduct elections at all?” he said speaking at a felicitation function held at Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

It was organised by the federations of higher education institutions to appreciate the Chief Minister for being instrumental in getting a landmark judgment from the Supreme Court with regard to the Bills kept pending by the Governor and, thereby, securing the rights of Tamil Nadu.

“Will they keep quiet if the President takes over the Prime Minister’s power?” Mr. Stalin said.

“Following the Supreme Court verdict, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that Parliament was supreme. We are also stating the same thing. State Legislative Assemblies have more power than the Governor,” he said.

The State government not only provided land and financial resources for establishing universities and colleges but also gave salaries to the staff, besides ensuring amenities for students, Mr. Stalin said.

“How is it justifiable that the Governor can nominate Vice-Chancellors of State-run Universities? That is why I went to court. And the judges gave a clear judgment and settled the case that has been pending for some years. They have belled the cat. They set a deadline for Governors to act on the Bills,” he said.