Vijayan Responds To Stalin, Agrees To Work Together Against Governors

In response to the letter, Stalin said, "TN & Kerala have traditionally stood as a bulwark against any attempt to erode state autonomy. We'll win in our crusade against gubernatorial overreach too."

It may be recalled that Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan had been facing tiffs with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan over several issues

Source : PTI

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart MK Stalin as a response to the latter’s letter urging to cooperate to move together against Governors stalling the Bills which require clearance. 

In the letter, Pinarayi Vijayan said, "As defenders of the federal spirit of our Consitution, we have to cooperate in every effort to prevent the curtailing of the functioning elected State governments. Even though time period for giving assent to the bill is not specifically mentioned in the constitution, it has to be a reasonable one."

"Going by the experience of many states, the Justice MN Venkatachaliah Commission to review the working of the constitution and Justice MM Punchi Commission on Union State relations have recommended mentioning the time within which Governor has to take a decision on giving assent to the bill, in Article 200," he said, as per the letter. 

Joint action against Governors' moves that curtail State Govts' functioning and threaten our federal principles is imperative. Thiru @mkstalin's proposal for coordinated efforts in this regard is highly appreciated. Responded offering full support for future actions. pic.twitter.com/j8e7mgqDTa

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) April 18, 2023

Pinarayi said: "In this matter, we are ready to extend wholehearted cooperation to you (Stalin) and will consider the proposal in your letter with utmost seriousness."

On April 11, Stalin in a letter urged Vijayan to pass a similar resolution like the one passed by Tamil Nadu Assembly on April 10. The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a Bill urging the Union government and President to fix a time frame for Governors to provide assent for the Bills passed in the state Assembly. 

Following the reply from Pinarayi Vijayan, MK Stalin said, "Thank you Hon @PinarayiVijayan for your prompt response to my letter & extending full support. TN & Kerala have traditionally stood as a bulwark against any attempt to erode state autonomy. We will win in our crusade against the gubernatorial overreach too. #தீ_பரவட்டும்!"