India, Sept. 16 -- With Union and States arguing over Governor's discretionary power to assent the bills, and as division bench of Supreme Court is hearing all sides on the reference by the President, what could be the way forward? The bottom line is always this: constitutional design delivers only when institutions internalize constitutional culture.
The Constitutional Architecture Articles 111, 200 and 201 form a seamless chain for assent. Article 111 governs Union Bills presented to the President. Articles 200 and 201 mirror that framework in the States: The Governor may assent, withhold assent and return a Bill to the Assembly, or reserve it for the President's consideration; the President, on a reserved Bill, may assent or withhold as...