The Government wanted to move Justice Ashok Mathur, the chief justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court to West Bengal. The file was, however, sent back by President KR Narayanan with a note: ``Status quo shall be maintained''.

Sources in the Law Ministry maintain that the President did not seek any clarification before returning the file. It is, however, understood that the President did not want a caretaker Government to take major decisions like appointment of Governors.

Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani today confirmed that the President had refused to give his consent to Mathur's appointment in Calcutta High Court. He attributed the decision to the Government's commitment -- given while removing A R Kidwai from the postof West Bengal governor in May this year -- not to appoint new governors.

Acting Chief Justice Justice Shyamal Sen is now officiating as acting Governor. The move to appoint Mathur as chief justice was opposed by the Trinamool Congress president, Mamata Banerjee, saying that Sen was working fine as Governor for the past two months.