Revisiting Roles of Constitutional Heads in a Democracy

Recently the offices of Constitutional heads namely the President of India as well as the Governor of a state came under the cloud amidst the ongoing tussle in Maharashtra over government formation.

The political turmoil in the state saw invocation of Article 356 to impose President’s rule, then special power to revoke the President’s Rule without prior Cabinet nod and subsequent government formation in a high-voltage drama.

Rule 12 of Transaction of Business Rules, 1961

• The Centre invoked Rule 12 of the Transaction of Business Rules, 1961 that empowered it to revoke the proclamation of President’s rule in Maharashtra without the ....