Embarrassment to BJP is cause for happiness of Nitish

New Delhi: The Congress is back to power in two states of Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, but it has given a new opportunity to the chief ministers of all non-BJP ruled states to put the Modi government on the mat. It has also given them a reason to press for abolition of the post of governor.

This demand has not been made for the first time in the country but so many chief ministers had not joined the chorus in the past. At least, three chief ministers have come out in the open in its support.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar who is trying to expand his base and emerge as a national leader of repute, does not leave any opportunity to condemn the BJP-ruled Centre. He did not miss this opportunity too. He was joined by West Bengal and Delhi chief ministers.

Condemning the Modi government for imposing President's rule on these states, he strongly demanded closure of Raj Bhawans asserting that these are the British legacies and playing no significant role in free India.

They know that the task is not easy and that the BJP-ruled states will not support this demand for political reason. But what is the harm in raising the dust over it, they might be thinking. At least it will serve one purpose: make the government go red-faced.

However, the demand deserves attention. For, this is not the first time that the Supreme Court has questioned the decision of the governor. The Arunachal Pradesh 's governor , in particular ,has come in for severe criticism.

He had not only called an assembly session on his own but changed the decision of the speaker. The Court described it as a “constitutional impropriety" and advised him to limit his role.

The governor's role in Uttarakhand was equally questionable. Therefore, the Court restored government there too. Common between the two is floor -test which was considered the best option in such cases.

As far as the apex court is concerned, it has been insisting on the floor-test right after the Bommai case. In all cases after this the Court has been asking to go for this kind of test. Since Supreme Court is the last word on any legal issue , no question can be asked about its decision on the issue, especially after it has been taken by a full bench.

The decision has emboldened the Congress ( in both the states the party was in power) and caused much embarrassment to the ruling BJP at the Centre.

To Nitish and company it has come as a gift.They has rightly decided to cash on it. They may also demand closure of all Upper Houses. The BJP or other government at the Centre should learn a lesson now.