Discussion in Rajya Sabha on December 8 on a private member’s Bill to amend Constitution, moved by Communist Party of India (Marxist) Member of Parliament V. Sivadasan, saw members demanding a system to fix the accountability of Governors. The Bill sought to provide powers for State Assemblies to recall Governors.
Dr. Sivadasan said in the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill that the stature and dignity of the Governor’s office require that the person who holds such a position enjoys the legitimate support of the people and be accountable to the people of the State. “To appoint the Head of the State governments through executive orders is antithetical to the spirit of democracy and federal spirit,” he argued in the Bill.
The Bill sought amendments to the Constitution so that the Governor shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of Legislative Assemblies of the States and elected members of the Gram Panchayats, Municipalities and Corporations of the States. “The election of the Governor shall be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot,” the Bill argued.
