Chennai, Nov. 20 -- DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai on Thursday sparked controversy by questioning the role of Governors in India, suggesting their primary function is to give assent to bills passed by state legislatures.

Saravanan Annadurai said, "If the governors act in good faith, if the governors are going to expeditiously dispose of the bills that have been presented to them by the state assemblies. Then, where is the question of deemed assent coming, and the only question that has to be asked is this - what other job does the Governor have other than giving assent to the bills?"

He argued that Governors live in luxurious mansions, implying their sole purpose is to fulfil this constitutional duty after the Supreme Court on Thursday ...