It is a painful fact of Indian political life that more often than not, political appointees to important constitutional posts act more as agents or loyal workers of the ruling party at the Centre to promote its agenda, rather than serving as impartial, objective functionaries within the clearly defined parameters of the Constitution and the apex court's relevant judgements. Frankly speaking, the Indian National Congress that has ruled at the Centre close to nearly five decades since independence, shares the major part of the guilt in this respect.
For almost first twenty years during the prime ministership of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and then Mr Lal Bahadur Shastri who was unfortunately in office briefly, these constitutional appointments were generally made fairly, keeping high moral values and merit in mind. The decline and degeneration started with Mrs Indira Gandhi when the emphasis suddenly was on committed bureaucracy and judiciary. The Emergency excesses did not spare even highly respected bureaucrats like Mr PN Haksar, the then Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister, because he was perceived to be independent-minded and unhappy with Sanjay Gandhi's ruthless shenanigans. Mr Haksar's in-laws' well-known shop in the Connaught Place was raided to give him a signal "to behave". Arbitrary judicial appointments and promotions of "committed" judges during the dark era of 19 months are common knowledge.
The appointment of Governors like Mr HR Bhardwaj is the product of that reprehensible and politically motivated mindset. For them, loyalty to the ruling dynasty is supreme; if, in the process, constitutional proprieties are thrown to the winds, so be it. Mr Bhardwaj did enough damage to the reputation of the UPA government when he was the Union Law Minister. Finally, he had to be eased out of his post but, instead of sending him home, he was kicked up to the Governor's office, that too in the southern State of Karnataka where the opposition party, the BJP, had trounced his party to form its first State govt. Obviously, to keep his party bosses in Delhi happy, he was needling the BJP govt from the very outset. The recent Supreme Court judgement reinstating the disqualified BJP MLAs who had openly rebelled against the party govt thus inviting the wrath of the anti-defection law, gave Governor Bhardwaj his excuse to recommend the Yeddyurappa govt.'s dismissal and imposing the President's rule-in effect, his rule. Unfortunately for Mr Bhardwaj, however, in the face of strong BJP reaction in Delhi, better sense seems to have prevailed at the Centre: the Governor's recommendation was rejected. There is speculation in the media that dejected and humiliated Mr Bhardwaj may choose to resign.
For almost first twenty years during the prime ministership of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and then Mr Lal Bahadur Shastri who was unfortunately in office briefly, these constitutional appointments were generally made fairly, keeping high moral values and merit in mind. The decline and degeneration started with Mrs Indira Gandhi when the emphasis suddenly was on committed bureaucracy and judiciary. The Emergency excesses did not spare even highly respected bureaucrats like Mr PN Haksar, the then Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister, because he was perceived to be independent-minded and unhappy with Sanjay Gandhi's ruthless shenanigans. Mr Haksar's in-laws' well-known shop in the Connaught Place was raided to give him a signal "to behave". Arbitrary judicial appointments and promotions of "committed" judges during the dark era of 19 months are common knowledge.
The appointment of Governors like Mr HR Bhardwaj is the product of that reprehensible and politically motivated mindset. For them, loyalty to the ruling dynasty is supreme; if, in the process, constitutional proprieties are thrown to the winds, so be it. Mr Bhardwaj did enough damage to the reputation of the UPA government when he was the Union Law Minister. Finally, he had to be eased out of his post but, instead of sending him home, he was kicked up to the Governor's office, that too in the southern State of Karnataka where the opposition party, the BJP, had trounced his party to form its first State govt. Obviously, to keep his party bosses in Delhi happy, he was needling the BJP govt from the very outset. The recent Supreme Court judgement reinstating the disqualified BJP MLAs who had openly rebelled against the party govt thus inviting the wrath of the anti-defection law, gave Governor Bhardwaj his excuse to recommend the Yeddyurappa govt.'s dismissal and imposing the President's rule-in effect, his rule. Unfortunately for Mr Bhardwaj, however, in the face of strong BJP reaction in Delhi, better sense seems to have prevailed at the Centre: the Governor's recommendation was rejected. There is speculation in the media that dejected and humiliated Mr Bhardwaj may choose to resign.
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