In a landmark case on the separation of powers between India’s Union (Federal) and State governments, the Supreme Court ruled that state Governors - who are appointed by the Union Government - must assent to a bill if it is placed before them a second time by the State Legislature. The SC also ruled that the ten bills that had been pending with Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for months could be deemed to have received his assent.

The Governor’s assent was historically seen as a mere formality in the passage of a bill. But over the last few years, state governments not led by the BJP - which leads India’s Union Government - have complained that Governors reject or delay assent for bills passed by them. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, whose government brought this case to the Supreme Court, hailed the verdict as a victory for federalism and all state governments.