Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin on Friday reiterated that his government will not pause its campaign until the Constitution is amended to mandate clear timelines for Governors to act on Bills passed by State legislatures.
Responding to the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion on the Presidential Reference, Stalin said the ruling does not affect the landmark April 8, 2025 verdict in State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu.
According to him, the Court’s observations have only reinforced a key democratic principle — that the elected government must remain in the driver’s seat, and that states cannot have “two centres of executive power”.
Stalin underscored that the judgment makes it clear that Governors cannot indefinitely withhold Bills or use a “pocket veto,” as he alleged was done previously in Tamil Nadu.
“The Governor has no fourth option to kill a Bill. He cannot withhold it simpliciter,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the DMK’s fight for State rights and genuine federalism will continue with renewed determination.
