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Journalism of Courage
If K.R. Narayanan has set an example for future Presidents, so has Romesh Bhandari for future Governors. The difference is of course that while the President has set an example for successors to emulate, the Governor has defined just how not to honour the gubernatorial office. Not that Bhandari is unique 8212; far from it. Abuse of the governor8217;s office is now a hoary tradition. The debate about the abuse of Article 356 of the Constitution is synonymous with the subversion of the governor8217;s office by politicians masquerading as apolitical appointees. Governorship is bestowed in return for past services, or to disappointed politicians, on the understanding that they shall be faithfully rendered in future from this crucial post.
Yet even in such a scenario, Romesh Bhandari as Governor of Uttar Pradesh has proved quite exceptional. He has set startling new standards which it will be hard for lesser men to live up to. This is some consolation. His conduct in recommending dissolution of the UP Assembly and the imposition of President8217;s rule after the incumbent government8217;s majority was established is only the latest in a series of misdemeanours that began with his arrival in Lucknow. The ruling coalition at the Centre must shoulder its part of the responsibility for what happened, and it faced its own peculiar pressures. But it was not well served by its Governor8217;s counsel either. The conscientious thing for Bhandari to do would have been to render constitutionally proper advice as the Centre8217;s man on the spot, not go out of his way to try to have the government dismissed. Instead, he chose to stoop where circumspect distance would have been appropriate.
