The second issue highlighted by the MPs relates to the “relentless interference by Governors in the functioning of elected governments in Opposition-ruled states”. “Their constant needling is a gross misuse of their limited constitutional powers under Art 167, without taking into cognizance other limiting Articles like 163 and 169. The unbecoming conduct of the Governors of West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu constitute a direct attack on the federal structure of our Constitution,” they alleged in the memorandum.

They said they have come together to articulate their consensus and demand that the alarming and “relentless depredations” of the Union on areas that are squarely in the domain of states be stopped immediately. Matters that definitely require federal consultations must be discussed with the States, instead of issuing unilateral orders, they said.

In the past, MPs, political parties, retired officials, civil society, and conscientious media persons have articulated these demands separately and have submitted their memoranda. “We have, in our own way, underlined the necessity to ensure proper federal functioning, but now we are issuing this joint statement to express our collective solidarity against the consistent attacks on our federal polity. The Centre’s constant encroachments in the State’s areas must halt…,” the memorandum stated.

The MPs and former bureaucrats also alleged that in West Bengal, the Governor “resorts to the social media several times a day to demean and criticize” the legally elected government and to “heckle” the chief minister, ministers, and senior civil servants. “This reveals his poor taste and is tantamount to sabotaging the state government in the exercise of their legitimate powers and hounding officials in public for carrying out their duties.

“Governors constantly hold back their assent to Bills that have been duly approved by the State Assemblies or withhold critical appointments and some resort to other deliberate acts to undercut state governments,” they said. “We condemn this reprehensible conduct of these Governors appointed by the Centre as undemocratic and anti-federal,” the memorandum said.

The 21 MPs who have signed the memorandum include Tiruchi Siva (DMK), Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD), Jairam Ramesh (Congress), K Keshava Rao (TRS), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Jawhar Sircar (AITC), Binoy Viswam (CPI), Sanjay Singh (AAP), Abdul Wahab (IUML), Sukhram Singh Yadav (SP), Sukhendu Sekhar Ray (AITC), Anil Desai (Shiv Sena), Amee Yajnik Congress). Besides, Naranbhai J Rathwa (Congress), Kumar Ketkar (Congress), TKS. Elangovan (DMK), Dola Sen (AITC), Kanimozhi NVN Somu (DMK), M Mohamed Abdulla (DMK), Mausam Noor (AITC), and Abir Ranjan Biswas (AITC) also signed the memorandum to the prime minister.