- November 20, 2025
Bengal Governor Welcomes SC’s Ruling In Presidential Reference Case: ‘Not A Rubber Stamp…’
Last Updated:
Bose said SC’s view supports a practice the Raj Bhavan began three years ago, noting that the court has now endorsed their approach of holding regular dialogue with the govt.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose (Credits: ANI)
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Thursday welcomed a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court that constitutional authorities cannot be bound by judicial timelines in deciding on bills.
Calling it a “landmark judgment”, Bose said the ruling clarified the constitutional boundaries between the Governor and the elected Chief Minister under Articles 200 and 201. He noted that the judgment “cleared the air regarding the jurisdiction of the governor (and the) elected chief minister.”
“The Court has unequivocally declared that Governor is not rubber stamp. Court has decided that a timeline can be set for the Governor in exercising his authority in respect of giving assent to the files to the Bills,” he said.
Bose added that the court’s view supported a practice the Raj Bhavan had already adopted. “It is particularly of happiness to the West Bengal Raj Bhavan that a practice that started here three years back has received the endorsement of the Honourable Supreme Court of India. That is the dialogue with the government and the legislative assembly,” he said.
Giving an update on pending bills, the Governor said several files were still with the state government. “Here in Bengal, to be exact, there are three files, four files, which are pending with the state government in the process of dialogue with the government. Certain clarifications have been sought from the government. Once that is received, the dialogue process is complete and I will be able to take a decision in giving assent to those files.”
He said the remaining bills had been forwarded to the President because they carried “all-India relevance” and had “legal and constitutional implications.” He added that “three files are sub judice.”
#WATCH | West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose says, “The landmark judgment by the Supreme Court has cleared the jurisdiction of the Govt vis-à-vis the elected CM. The Court has unequivocally declared that Governor is not rubber stamp. Court has decided that a timeline can be set… pic.twitter.com/RtUXQ0jS8v— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2025
Bose said, “Because we resorted to the course of dialogue with the government, there is no file which is pending in the Raj Bhavan for the time being.”
He stressed the need for both sides to stay within constitutional limits. “Good fences make good neighbours. There is a Lakshman Rekha, which is made by the Constitution of India, which is binding on the governor as well as the elected chief minister. Once that is respected, it is good,” he said.
Calling the ruling timely, he added, “The present Supreme Court order, I would say, a stitch in time saves nine. That is the message which the Honourable Supreme Court has given to the entire India.”
What Did SC’s Judgement Say?
Earlier in the day, a five-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai said courts cannot fix strict timelines for Governors or the President while deciding on state bills. The bench also said Governors do not have “unfettered” power to hold bills “for perpetuity.”
The court further ruled that “indefinite delay” can face “limited judicial scrutiny,” but the Supreme Court cannot grant “deemed assent” under Article 142, as that would amount to taking over the role of another constitutional authority.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
November 20, 2025, 21:54 IST
Read More
