The BJP-led NDA government on Friday opposed the introduction of a private member’s bill that sought to amend Article 158 of the Constitution to ensure that governors act on the advice of the council of ministers.

Article 158 spells out the conditions of the governor’s office.

Though Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh was inclined to allow its introduction by voice vote, the Treasury bench opposed it.

After brief submissions by CPM MP John Brittas, who had brought the bill, and Sudhanshu Trivedi of the BJP in opposition to it, the issue was again put to voice vote.

For the second time, the presiding officer ruled that the "ayes have it" but the Treasury bench opposed again forcing the deputy chairman to say that he would have to go for a division (electronic/paper or both).

Minister Piyush Goyal suggested that the chair had said "ayes have it" by mistake. "If you say 'noes have it', then there is no need for voting. We have opposed the introduction."

Eventually, the chair went for division and the bill seeking to ensure that the governors act on the advice of the council of ministers was defeated by the Centre.

Brittas brought the private member's bill in response to how some governors appointed by the Narendra Modi government in its first two stints have been functioning in the states.