The Governor's discretion and Centre–State friction

A formal power becomes a practical veto over elected State governments where no time limit binds its exercise. Article 200 fixes no deadline for the Governor to act on a Bill. Articles 153 to 162 create the office, with the Governor appointed by the President and holding office during pleasure. Article 163 is the pivot: the Governor acts on ministerial advice except where the Constitution expressly requires discretion, and the existence of that discretion is placed beyond judicial question. Article 174 governs summoning and prorogation; Article 200 permits assent, withholding, return, or reservation for the President, with Article 201 governing what follows. Two commissions reviewed the office: Sarkaria (1988) and Punchhi (2010).