Nitish: Abolish governor’s post Put education in state list: Jaya

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday sprang a surprise by saying that the post of governor of states should be abolished as the existing federal democratic structure does not warrant its continuance.

His remarks at the interstate council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, came against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s severe criticism of the Arunachal Pradesh governor over dismissal of the Congress government in the state and some Opposition- ruled states, accusing the occupants in Raj Bhawans of working politically at the Centre’s behest.

Mr Kumar further said that if it is not possible to do away with the constitutional post, the discretionary powers that go with it be curtailed.

Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa has sought the transfer of education, environment and ecology from concurrent list to state list. She also sought more fund share and decentralisation of powers.

He also said that the chief minister of a state should have a role in the appointment and removal of the governor.

“Existing federal democratic structure does not warrant continuance of the gubernatorial post. However, if it is not possible to do away with it, then our opinion is that provisions relating to the appointment of governor must be clearly defined and made transparent,” he said.