India, April 8 -- The Supreme Court's verdict striking down Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi's decision to effectively block 10 re-enacted state bills by asking for presidential assent is a landmark moment - especially at a time when a number of governors are battling allegations of overreach in states run by outfits opposed to the BJP. The decision of the court to lay down specific timelines - for withholding assent or reserving a bill for presidential consideration - augurs well for India's federal structure. Politically, the apex court's judgement is an unequivocal victory for chief minister MK Stalin and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, with less than a year to go for assembly polls.

The verdict will have a significant bearing on ext...