Overview
- President Droupadi Murmu submitted a 14-question reference to the Supreme Court on May 13, challenging its April 8 ruling that set timelines for Governors and the President to act on state bills.
- The April 8 judgment clarified that Governors must act on the advice of state Cabinets, cannot delay assent indefinitely, and established three-month timelines for gubernatorial decisions under Articles 200 and 201.
- Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin has written to the Chief Ministers of eight non-BJP states, calling for a coordinated legal strategy to oppose the Presidential reference and defend the federal structure of the Constitution.
- Stalin alleges that the BJP-led Union Government is attempting to undermine the Supreme Court's ruling to enable Governors to obstruct legislation in opposition-ruled states.
- The Supreme Court is yet to review the President’s reference, which raises questions about the justiciability of gubernatorial discretion and the imposition of timelines through judicial orders.