Theoretically, the Governor is the source of all executive action in a state but in practice he is a constitutional ruler and has normally to act on the advice of his ministers.

Under the parliamentary form of Government which has been adopted in India both at the centre and in the states, it is inevitable that apart from a few specified exceptions, the Governor should be guided by his ministers who are collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly.

The constitution, however, does specifically and by implication allow him some scope for the exercise of ‘discretionary’ authority. Such a situation may arise in relation to the appointment of the Chief Minister if after a general election, or as a result of a split within the party in power, no party has an absolute majority in the state legislature.

Another situation in which the Governor exercises ‘real’ rather than ‘formal’ pioneer related to the breakdown of the constitutional machinery of a state.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

When the Governor makes you report to the president (under Art: 356) to the effect that the government of the state can’t be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the constitution I he has obviously to act in his discretion.

If the administration of a state is placed directly under the centre in accordance with Art: 356 the Governor assumes great importance. He governs with real authority as the agent of the union governmental. The Governor has the power to reserve Bills passed by the state legislature for the consideration of the president.