Bandaru Dattatreya urges coordination amid Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Governor standoffs

Hyderabad: Amid escalating friction between state governments and Governors, former Himachal Pradesh and Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya called for coordination between Raj Bhavans and Chief Ministers to maintain constitutional balance.

In Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK government approached the Supreme Court alleging that Governor R N Ravi had deliberately delayed action on multiple Bills passed by the Assembly. The state’s petition triggered a wider debate over the constitutional roles and responsibilities of Governors.

Simultaneously, Karnataka witnessed a fresh confrontation during its Budget session. Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot declined to deliver the customary opening address. Raj Bhavan sources later stated that he objected to several sections of the draft speech submitted by the government. According to them, the speech included critical references and statistical claims regarding the Central government, which the Governor found inappropriate.

Tamil Nadu Karnataka Governor standoffs not new, says Dattatreya

Commenting on the standoff, Dattatreya said that while Governors operated strictly within the limits prescribed by the Constitution, politicising institutional differences would only disrupt governance.

He pointed to similar instances in other states, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where Governors had earlier opted out of Assembly addresses. Such decisions, he said, should not automatically be treated as confrontational.

Emphasising the need for institutional harmony, Dattatreya urged both Governors and Chief Ministers to resolve disagreements through dialogue. “Coordination is essential to uphold the Constitution and ensure smooth administration,” he said.