Date:23/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/23/stories/2006032303711003.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Judgment revisited

The article "Supreme Court judgment revisited" (March 21) succinctly analysed the role played by various constitutional authorities in the dissolution of the Bihar Assembly. The Governor was the most insignificant player, as he had no power beyond recommending the dissolution. Similarly, the President also could not have done much except maybe referring the bill to the Cabinet for reconsideration. It was the Union Cabinet that was mainly responsible for recommending the dissolution of the House without verifying the facts in the Governor's report, and for misleading the President.

A.V.A. Eswaran,
Jaipur

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A question that remains unanswered is whether the Governor was objective in exercising his discretionary powers. While court rulings have to a great extent curbed the arbitrary exercise of power by Governors, it is time the limits of their powers were constitutionally specified.

Rajan Jha,
Patna

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The article was a bold statement on the failure of the Union Cabinet, especially the Prime Minister, in blindly accepting the Governor's partisan report to dissolve the Bihar Assembly.

P.S. Money,
Bangalore