'Must unite for legal battle': Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin writes to non-BJP states, accuses Centre of plotting against SC's governor verdict with Presidential reference

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Sunday wrote to the non-Bharatiya Janata Party ruled states urging them to unite against the Centre's "ploy" after President Droupadi Murmu sought a reference before the Supreme Court regarding its verdict in State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu.He accused the BJP-led central government of "advising the President to seek a reference before the Supreme Court" and called out for a "coordinated legal strategy before the Court and present united front to preserve and protect the basic structure of the Constitution"."As you are aware, the President of India, under the advice of the Union Government, has invoked the advisory jurisdiction of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India under Article 143 of the Constitution of India on 13th May, 2025 and raised 14 questions before the Court. Though the reference does not specifically refer to any State or judgement, its intent is to question the findings on law and interpretation of the Constitution given by the Supreme Court in the case of State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor of Tamil Nadu," the letter said.Calling out the "sinister intent" of the saffron party, Stalin wrote, "Obviously, the BJP is attempting to unsettle this judgement, which can be invoked as a precedent by other States when faced with an obstinate Governor. As the first limb of their ploy, the BJP Government has advised the President to seek a reference before the Supreme Court.""We must evolve a coordinated legal strategy before the Court and present united front to preserve and protect the basic structure of the Constitution, as upheld by our Hon'ble Supreme Court in its historic judgement. I look forward to your immediate and personal intervention in this vital issue," he added.President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday submitted 14 questions to the SC regarding its ruling that set deadlines for actions by the President and governors. In its ruling last month, the apex court set a definitive timeline for governors to act on bills passed by state assemblies, emphasizing that under Article 200 of the Constitution, governors lack discretionary power and must act on the advice of the council of ministers. The Court further held that state governments can approach it directly if the President withholds assent to a bill referred by a governor. Stressing constitutional boundaries, the bench—Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan—made it clear that governors cannot reserve bills based on personal dissatisfaction, political motives, or irrelevant factors, declaring such actions unconstitutional and subject to immediate invalidation.