LS Deputy Speaker Thambidurai welcomes Supreme Court verdict on Delhi's power tussle

Thambidurai hailed the judgment giving "real power" to the elected government. "It is victory for democracy," Thambidurai told reporters at the airport here.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister CN Annadurai had asked whether there was any necessity for the post of a governor, while the real power vested with the elected government, he said.

There was no problem if the governor functioned within the limits of the constitutional framework, Thambidurai said.

Thambidurai, however, said he was not commenting on state governor Banwarilal Purohit conducting review meetings with district officials.

The main opposition DMK has been claiming that such meetings held by the governor amounted to "interference" in the state's autonomy.

In a landmark verdict, the apex court today unanimously held that Delhi cannot be accorded the status of a state but clipped the powers of the Lieutenant Governor, saying he has no "independent decision-making power" and has to act on the aid and advice of the elected government.