Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Thursday strongly criticised the BJP-led central government for using the Presidential reference route to approach the Supreme Court regarding the setting of deadlines for Governors to act on state legislation, as recently directed by the apex court. Stalin claimed this move revealed the Centre’s “sinister intent” and amounted to an attempt to undermine a constitutionally settled issue—particularly the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Tamil Nadu Governor’s case and similar precedents. He accused the Union government of trying to override the democratic will of the people by empowering Governors to delay or obstruct state laws at the Centre’s behest.

The Left parties also opposed the Centre’s move. The CPI(M) and CPI, allies of Stalin’s DMK in Tamil Nadu, expressed concern over what they described as a challenge to federalism. CPI(M) general secretary M. A. Baby, in a post on X, alleged that Governors were acting under BJP's influence and obstructing non-BJP state governments, which he said was a violation of federal principles. CPI general secretary D. Raja also condemned the move.

Stalin argued that the Centre’s actions exposed how the Tamil Nadu Governor had acted under BJP influence to sabotage the state’s democratic mandate. He called the Presidential reference a last-ditch effort to weaken elected state governments by allowing Governors, acting as Union government agents, to delay Bills indefinitely.

He further questioned why the Centre opposed setting clear deadlines for Governors to act, implying the BJP sought to legitimise such delays and paralyse legislatures in opposition-ruled states. Stalin warned that the Centre’s move was a direct challenge to the Supreme Court’s authority and posed a serious threat to the constitutional balance of power between the Union and the states.

He called upon all non-BJP state governments and political leaders to unite in defending the Constitution through legal means. Meanwhile, a report released by PRS Legislative Research on Thursday highlighted growing delays in gubernatorial assent across states. The analysis showed that in 2024, 18% of state Bills took more than three months to receive the Governor’s approval or were still awaiting assent as of April 2025. Himachal Pradesh (72%), Sikkim (56%), and West Bengal (38%) had the highest proportion of delayed Bills. However, in five states—Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Mizoram, and Rajasthan—all Bills received assent within a month.