New Delhi, Feb 10 (Reporter) The Supreme Court on Monday examined the issue of Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi withholding assent to bills passed by the state assembly, questioning whether the Governor’s decision to withhold assent should be considered final. Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the Governor had no discretion to withhold assent indefinitely. The court noted that the Tamil Nadu Assembly had reconsidered the bills and sent them back on November 18, 2024. The bench highlighted that there was no communication from the Governor indicating that he had withheld assent or explaining his reasons for doing so. “Undoubtedly, no message was conveyed,” the court remarked. “He didn't say, ‘I am sending this back’ or ‘I have withheld assent.’ The bench questioned the prolonged silence of the Governor regarding the Tamil Nadu Bills, culminating in his decision to withhold consent and the reference of at least 10 Bills to the President for consideration. Addressing Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani, who appeared for Governor R.N. Ravi, Justice J.B. Pardiwala stated that the Governor must have had “something in his mind” when withholding consent to the Bills. However, the Governor did not communicate what concerns he had regarding the proposed laws. The court further inquired whether there was any contemporaneous record explaining why these bills were pending and whether the state assembly had received any indication of the reasons for withholding assent. Dwivedi responded in the negative. The court then questioned whether the Governor’s act of withholding assent should be treated as his final decision. Dwivedi confirmed, “Yes.” The hearing took place against the backdrop of a long-standing legal and political tussle between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor Ravi over the delay in approving key legislation. The Supreme Court’s observations could have significant implications for the constitutional role of governors in granting or withholding assent to bills...////...