CM lauds SC lawyers for ruling on Guv roles

Chennai: Declaring that the Supreme Court's landmark judgement defining the state governor's role is "not just another ruling but political freedom," chief minister M K Stalin said the victory belongs to all states striving to uphold democracy. "This is not merely a felicitation ceremony but a celebration of democratic victory," Stalin said, speaking at an event to honour the senior advocates who led the successful legal battle.

"Supreme Court judges, the advocates who argued this case, and the state will forever be remembered. This judgement reaffirmed the core principles of federalism and ensures that the rights of the states are protected in the true spirit of the Constitution," the chief minister said to a hall full of ministers, MLAs, govt officials, judges, and other legal luminaries.

Senior advocates Abhishek Singhvi, MP, Rakesh Dwivedi, and P Wilson, MP, were felicitated for their pivotal roles in securing the judgement. Though senior advocate and former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi could not attend due to personal reasons, he conveyed his appreciation through a letter to the chief minister.

Senior advocate and MP Wilson praised the CM's decision in 2023 to challenge the misuse of gubernatorial powers despite contrary advice. "In 2018, when the then state govt denied space for the burial of our beloved leader Kalaignar M Karunanidhi, Stalin approached the court and emerged victorious. Continuing in that spirit, he chose to stand firmly on the side of constitutional principles again," Wilson said. He added that what Karunanidhi envisioned decades ago by establishing the Rajamannar Commission to define the powers of a governor has now found its culmination under Stalin's leadership.

Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi underlined the critical message of the judgement, stating that governors must work within constitutional limits.

Even as the advocates were presented with a Sengol at the event, Abhishek Singhvi remarked that Stalin's commitment to upholding constitutional morality deserves a Sengol a symbol of righteousness in itself.