Governors occupy an important position in India’s constitutional scheme. They have to ensure that state governments function within the framework of the Constitution. Yet, the Constitution prescribes no special qualifications for the office. The Union government can recommend virtually anyone for appointment, and successive governments have exploited this discretion to reward political loyalists. For many, the Lok Bhavan has become a comfortable sinecure. The Narendra Modi government has taken the partisan use of gubernatorial appointments to new heights. In Opposition-ruled states, governors have frequently been accused of obstructing elected governments and creating constitutional confrontations. In BJP-ruled states, the same office often appears to demand little beyond........

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