A five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, said prescribing deadlines would "violate the elasticity available under the Constitution," contradicting an earlier ruling by a two-judge bench that required governors and the President to decide on state bills within three months.

One key question that emerged after today’s opinion is what happens next - particularly because the Constitution Bench’s advisory views diverge from multiple findings of the earlier two-judge bench judgment. These contradictions have created uncertainty about which position will govern when states approach courts in future disputes.

Article 143 (Presidential reference) grants the President the power to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion, which forms part of the court’s advisory jurisdiction.

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