Proper discharge by the governor of his constitutional role in the bizarre political twists and turns in Karnataka is essential for proper maintenance of Centre-state relations. The office of the governor is an important political institution. John Stuart Mill reminds us that “political institutions are the work of men; owe their origin and their whole existence to human will. In every stage of their existence they are made what they are by human voluntary agency”.

Rejection by the governor of Yeddyurappa’s claim to form the government on the ground that majority has been cobbled by foul and unethical means, like horse-trading and allurements, would be unconstitutional. Indeed, such a decision would be contrary to the Supreme Court’s aforesaid authoritative ruling in the Bihar assembly dissolution case. Besides, it would be a fatal blow to the federal fabric of our Constitution which at all costs should be avoided.

The writer is a former attorney-general for India