Governor CV Ananda Bose Lauds Supreme Court Ruling on Gubernatorial Bill Assent

KalimNews, Kolkata, November 20, 2025: West Bengal Governor, CV Ananda Bose, has expressed strong approval of the recent Supreme Court judgment which struck down the timelines for gubernatorial assent to bills, declaring them unconstitutional. The ruling, handed down by the Constitution Bench, also rejected the concept of "deemed assent," clarifying the Governor's constitutional authority in this regard.

In a statement issued shortly after the verdict, Governor Bose described the ruling as a "landmark clarification" and emphasised that the judgment reaffirmed the Governor’s role as more than a "rubber stamp." He praised the court’s decision, which vindicated the practice of dialogue and consultation between Raj Bhavan and the state government—a process that has been followed by his office over the past three years.

The Supreme Court’s decision nullified its earlier directions that set deadlines for the Governors and the President to grant assent to bills, arguing that such timelines violated the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution. The Court ruled that while the Governor has a constitutional duty to decide on assent under Articles 200 and 201, this process cannot be undermined by judicially imposed deadlines or presumptions. The only exception, the Court stated, would be when there is an unexplained or inordinate delay, which could prompt judicial intervention.

Governor Bose welcomed this aspect of the judgment, stating that it “cleared the air” regarding the respective jurisdictions of the Governor and the Chief Minister, and confirmed the legitimacy of the ongoing process of seeking clarifications from the state government before taking a decision on bills awaiting assent. He added that four bills are currently under consideration, with clarifications awaited from the West Bengal government. Once these are received, he will make his final decision. Additionally, some bills have been referred to the President due to their broader national implications, while three are under judicial review.

Drawing on a famous adage, "Good fences make good neighbours," Bose commented that the Constitution has clearly delineated the roles of both the Governor and the Chief Minister, creating a “Lakshman Rekha” to maintain balance and respect for each other’s authority. He further described the Court's ruling as “a stitch in time saves nine,” indicating that the decision would help ensure greater constitutional propriety and strengthen the framework of governance across the country.

This ruling comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity in several states regarding the relationship between elected governments and the office of the Governor. It is expected to have far-reaching implications on the way legislative processes are handled at the state level, especially in cases where there may be disputes between the government and the Governor over the assent of bills.

Governor Bose’s statement highlights the positive reception of the ruling in West Bengal, where the relationship between the state government and Raj Bhavan has often been a subject of public and political debate.