For the second time in less than 72 hours, the Cabinet on Monday requested the governor to convene the session of the state legislature — this time from June 2. The BJP government’s earlier request for convening the session from May 16 did not receive a favourable response from the governor, who has instead reportedly recommended President’s rule in the state.
Speaking to reporters after an emergency meeting of the Cabinet, law and parliamentary affairs minister S. Suresh Kumar said the 10-day session was needed to have a full fledged debate on the budget. “We sent a resolution on Friday too but we have not heard anything from Raj Bhavan. We have therefore decided to pass another resolution,” he explained. Quoting Lok Sabha procedures, Mr Suresh Kumar said that the power to convene the Parliament session rested with the Prime Minister and the President can only guide him informally on the day the session can be convened. In the case of the states too, it is the prerogative of the chief minister and the council of ministers, he asserted.
Mr Suresh Kumar said the government had not received any official communication from the governor’s office or from the Centre on the special report sent by Mr Bhardwaj.