Pranab tells governors to follow rule book

With Bihar’s political drama at his doorstep, President Pranab Mukherjee reminded the state governors that any deviation from the principles and provisions embodied in the Constitution would weaken the democratic fabric of the country.

Mukherjee, who opened the 46th Conference of Governors in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other ministers, said,  “Every Indian looks forward to the Constitution as the guarantor of liberties, freedom and equality.”

The Governors and Lt Governors, he said, had the primary responsibility to ensure that the affairs of the states and union territories were conducted strictly in accordance with the letter and spirit of this “hallowed” document. Prevalence of peace and communal harmony must be ensured, he added.

Mukherjee’s remark came hours before he received a delegation of Janata Dal (United) legislators led by former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, which sought to bring pressure on Bihar Governor Kesari Nath Tripathi to replace Jitan Ram Manjhi as chief minister.

Tripathi is yet to take a call on asking Manjhi and Kumar to prove their strength on the floor of the Bihar Assembly.

Twenty-one Governors, including Tripathi and two Lt. Governors, are attending the two-day meet in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mukherjee also dwelt on the development of North-East, saying  much needs to be done for infrastructure development and to harness its tourism potential.

He said ethnic violence in Assam needed to be countered effectively, especially the “sinister motives” to drive a wedge between Bodo and non-Bodo sections.  Mukherjee also touched upon the government’ skill development programme, saying India is projected to have the largest workforce in the world by 2025, with a surplus of 47 million workers against a shortage of 56.5 million skilled workers.