The Supreme Court on Thursday critically examined a decision of Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa ordering maintenance of the party-wise position of MlAs in the Assembly and said he had “no role to play” in it, as the anti-defection aspect fell under the domain of the Speaker.
“How can the Governor take away the constitutional powers of the Speaker to disqualify lawmakers on the grounds of defectionIJ
“The Governor may have some role in the functioning of the Assembly, but he has no role to play in issues prescribed in the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection provision) of the Constitution,” a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice JS Khehar said.