Wed Feb 05 00:21:40 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court to Mediate Tamil Nadu Governor-Government Dispute

**New Delhi, February 5, 2025** – The Supreme Court of India intervened on Tuesday in the escalating conflict between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor R.N. Ravi, expressing hope for a resolution before a scheduled hearing on February 6. The dispute centers on the Governor’s actions regarding several key Bills, including those concerning higher education, which he referred to the President for assent.

The Tamil Nadu government, represented by senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and A.M. Singhvi, argued that the Governor’s actions were unconstitutional, exceeding his authority and violating Article 200 of the Constitution. They contended that the Governor’s prolonged delays in acting on the Bills, and his referral to the President without sufficient justification, amounted to an overreach of power. The government asserted that the Governor’s actions were “ex-facie illegal, without jurisdiction and in gross violation of the Constitution.”

The Governor’s office, represented by Attorney General R. Venkataramani, maintained that the Governor’s actions were within his constitutional powers. The court questioned the criteria for referring Bills to the President and the President’s subsequent role in such matters.

The court, while acknowledging the seriousness of the impasse, expressed optimism that the issue could be resolved amicably, hinting at the possibility of informal talks between the Governor and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Mr. Wilson, an advocate for the state government, noted past instances of the two officials resolving issues over “a cup of coffee,” suggesting that such informal dialogue could be a path forward.

The Supreme Court pledged to resolve the dispute “in the spirit of the Constitution” and “in the interest of one and all,” indicating its intention to ensure a fair and constitutional resolution to the conflict. The court’s intervention offers a glimmer of hope for a swift resolution to this significant political standoff in Tamil Nadu.

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