ASSURANCE WILL NOT . . . . . . . . . TO CONGRESS 295
enjoined to be studious so to exercise their powers, as not to enable their Ministers to rely upon their special powers in order to relieve themselves of the responsibilities, which properly belongs to ministers.
Situation not Arisen
That situation has not yet arisen, and before passing any criticism upon the action of the Governor, we have to wait and see what he does, when the Ministers who are now in charge are defeated by the adverse vote of the Legislature.
Assurance demand
The principal question, however, is whether the Congress was justified in asking an undertaking from the Governor before accepting office, to which they are by reason of their majority entitled to. It is admitted by Congressmen that they do not want an amendment of the Statute. It is the contention of Congressmen that the Governors could have given the undertaking they want, without in any way abrogating the provisions of the Government of India Act, and the question is whether such an undertaking can be given without the abrogation of the Statute.
King and Governor
Both Mr. Bhulabhai Desai and Mr. C. Rajagopalachari in championing the position taken by the Congress have stated in so many words that there is nothing in the Act to prevent the Governors from giving the undertaking and that if the Governors did not give the undertaking it was because they did not wish to give it.
The question we are concerned with, is whether without affecting the provisions of the Government of India Act, it is possible for the Governors to agree to suspend their special powers. The view taken by Mr. Bhulabhai Desai appeals to be founded on the belief that there is no difference between the special power given to the Governor under the Government of India Act and the veto powers of the King. But I contend that the power of individual judgment of individual discretion vested in the Governor is of a totally different character from the power of veto possessed by the King under the English Constitution.