Nitish Kumar favours scrapping of Governor post

Patna, August 5: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today reaffirmed his support for scrapping the Governor's post and questioned BJP, which in the past had supported his stance, for not speaking over it now after being in power.

"All parties except Congress have favoured scrapping the post of Governor... BJP, which supported this when in opposition, is silent now after being in power," Kumar said.

"What is the need of the post of Governor in a federal structure, which has an elected government at the Centre as well as the state, which are accountable to the people?" he asked.

"Except for administering oath to a new government, what other function a governor who is duty-bound to abide by the advise of the state Cabinet, has?" he said. Kumar, who had raised the issue during the recent Inter-State Council meeting, said "personally I have no problem with a governor and my favouring to do away with the post of Governor is based on principles."

Asked about Bihar Governor Ramnath Kovind, Kumar said "he is a nice man and I have no problem with him."

He said seeing the political crisis triggered in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand after controversial decisions taken by governors against state governments there, "I favoured scrapping the post of Governor or else there should be at least a provision for active consultation with the chief minister of that state in the appointment of governor."

After the S R Bommai case judgement, which said majority of a government should be tested only on the floor of the House, Kumar said there was no role for governor in such a political crisis in any state.

He, however, argued against ending the legislative council prevailing in some states including Bihar, a debate which got off after his views on scrapping post of Governor.

"Legislative council gives beneficial suggestions in making of laws and moreover, it has representation from local bodies and graduate constituencies," he said.

The CM said in a lighter vein that he was saying this on merit and because he himself is a member of the state council.

PTI