It is conceded that the real “meat” appears on the conference table only when the venue is cleared of the media. It is further conceded that the high offices held by the participants had a restraining effect on straight-talk.

Yet the excessively goody-goody version of the opening session of the Governors Conference at Rashtrapati Bhawan ~ at least what was reported in newspapers ~ had worrisome undertones.

Advertisement

For it underscored a reluctance of the leadership to admit that the institution of the Governor is under critical focus as seldom before: and in the absence of such recognition no upgrade or reform of the functioning of Raj Bhawans ~ admittedly there are exemplary exceptions ~ is likely.

That has serious implications for democratic federalism. Those who cherish the principled-system had hoped that the President would send out some signals to his representatives in the states: that was not too be, and so the public will be left with no option but to conclude that some very questionable actions are a part of the template.

Like the higher judiciary, Governors were once perceived as a “cut above” ~ alas, that myth is in the process of imploding. And the interaction at Rashtrapati Bhawan does not seem to point to a pathway to regain the glories to which Mr Ram Nath Kovind had alluded.

There is, of course, little cause for quarrel with most of what Mr Kovind said. The concerns flow from what was not said, neither by him nor the Prime Minister.

While no one could expect Mr Narendra Modi to say anything negative about moves which politically favoured the BJP/NDA, that Mr Kovind also evaded controversy is not a positive signal: maybe he is still too new to his office to speak his mind.

Yet upholding the once-lofty perception of a Governor is task which he cannot afford to duck. For starters, he could advocate overdue reform in the selection and appointment of Governors ~ for far too long have successive governments used Raj Bhawans to accommodate political have-beens, or as a reward to civil and military officials for “services rendered”: political services, make no mistake about that.

The decline in quality is palpable, and the buzz is that some Governors ~ not all, let’s be clear ~ deem it their duty to propel incompetent chief ministers into enforcing a political agenda.

To list dubious acts in Raj Bhawans would serve little purpose, but the process of government-formation has been so skewed that after developments in Bengaluru the apex court is considering the formulation/issue of fresh guidelines.

That the lieutenant-governors in Delhi and Puducherry take instructions from Raisina Hall is a frequent allegation. On Monday both Mr Kovind and Mr Modi called upon Governors to play an exalted role ~ is that possible in Opposition-ruled states when Raj Bhawans are so terribly suspect?