Suppose the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa have different policies on how their state police should respond to the naxalites. Can the Prime Minister of India intervene and pass an order that all the Chief Ministers will have to obey?
No, the Prime Minister cannot simply intervene and pass an order that all Chief Ministers will have to obey.
The sharing of power between the Union Government and the State Governments is basic to the structure of the Constitution. States exercise their rights as autonomous federal units. The Constitution defines the division of powers, and this arrangement cannot be easily changed by the Parliament alone.
In case of any dispute about the division of powers, the High Courts and the Supreme Court make a decision. The judiciary plays an important role in overseeing the implementation of constitutional provisions. Therefore, the Prime Minister cannot unilaterally pass orders that override the powers of State Governments regarding their police policies.
Explanation
The textbook context explains that India follows a federal structure where power is shared between the Union and State Governments. This sharing of power is 'basic to the structure of the Constitution' and cannot be easily altered. The context also clarifies that 'in case of any dispute about the division of powers, the High Courts and the Supreme Court make a decision.' Since law and order (police) is a State subject, and States function as 'autonomous federal units,' the Prime Minister cannot unilaterally issue orders that Chief Ministers must obey. The historical context also mentions that earlier, Central Governments would 'misuse the Constitution to dismiss State Governments,' which 'undermined the spirit of federalism' - indicating that such intervention goes against federal principles.