The Background: There have been a series of issues in opposition ruled States with respect to the address by the Governor to the State legislature at the commencement of first session of this year. This has raised constitutional and political questions about the Governor’s role in State legislature.
Section 63 of the Government of India Act, 1935 (GOI Act) provided that the Governor may in his discretion address the Provincial legislature. Starting from April 1937, when provincial autonomy started under GOI act, the Governor’s speech was prepared in consultation with the council of Ministers in Provinces that laid down the legislative agenda.
