Context:
Following a fractured mandate in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Governor asked the single-largest party leader to first demonstrate majority support before being sworn in as Chief Minister. The development has revived debates regarding the discretionary powers of the Governor and the constitutional importance of floor tests.
- Article 164 of the Constitution states that the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor and other ministers are appointed on the advice of the Chief Minister.
- In normal circumstances, the Governor invites the leader of the majority party or coalition to form the government.
- In a hung Assembly, where no party has a clear majority, the Governor exercises discretionary powers in selecting whom to invite first.
- Constitutional conventions generally prefer inviting a pre-poll alliance, then the single-largest party with support, or a post-poll coalition demonstrating majority.
- The Governor may ask the claimant to prove majority through a floor test in the Legislative Assembly.
- The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the floor test as the best constitutional method to determine majority support.
- Important judgments include S.R. Bommai case and Shivraj Singh Chouhan vs Speaker, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly relating to majority testing.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040