The Kerala education department has released a textbook for class 10 social science, which discusses the Governor’s constitutional powers and centre-state relations. It states that the Governor is only a nominal head of state.
In the second part of the textbook, under the chapter “Democracy: An Indian Experience” and the subhead “Governor’s Duties and Responsibilities,” the text states that the Governor is not an elected post. When different parties are in power at the state and the Centre, the role of the Governor often becomes a source of controversy. The Governor is only a nominal head of state.
“While the Governor is the constitutional head of the state, real executive power lies with the Council of Ministers led by the Chief Minister,” the text states. It further notes that the Governor must act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Earlier in June, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty had said that the powers and responsibilities of the Governor should be brought into the syllabus.
Kerala has witnessed prolonged friction between the state government and the Governor’s office, beginning during the tenure of former Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and continuing under the present Governor, Rajendra Arlekar.
The conflict initially arose over the appointment of a Vice Chancellor in 2022, with both sides accusing each other of politicising the process.