2. Governor

The Governor is the chief executive of the State and his position is analogous to that of the President at the Centre. Despite being a nominal executive head (titular or constitutional head), the Governor has “a right to be consulted, to warn and encourage” and his role is overwhelmingly that of a “friend, philosopher and guide” to his Council of Ministers. Under this role, he also functions as a sentinel of the Constitution and a live link with the Union.

The Constitution, under Article 153, provides for a Governor for each state. However, the Article was amended by the Seventh Constitutional Amendment (1956), which came as a result of the State Reorganization Commission and currently, the same person may be appointed as Governor of two or more states.