President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday exhorted Governors to act within the framework of the Constitution, saying “they must not only be fair, but also be seen to be fair”.
Speaking at the concluding session of a two-day conference of Governors, Mr. Mukherjee said they had the responsibility to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
The remarks assume importance in the wake of the recent controversy over the role of Arunachal Pradesh Governor J.P. Rajkhowa, leading to President’s rule in the State.
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In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Governors occupied a unique, high position because of their experience and post and could be “catalytic agents in the States, speeding up and improving processes without themselves becoming a part of them”.
Stressing “cooperative federalism”, Mr. Modi said the Centre and the States must work together as “Team India”. The spirit of cooperative federalism must also extend to cooperative, competitive federalism, with healthy competition for development among States, the Prime Minister said.