• Source:JND

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday left the Vidhana Soudha without completing the customary address to the joint sitting of the state legislature. He spoke only briefly before exiting the House, departing from the full text prepared for the occasion.

As per ANI, the Governor restricted himself to the opening and closing portions of the address. After greeting legislators and expressing pleasure at addressing the joint session, he concluded abruptly with a short statement on the government’s commitment to development, ending with “Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka.”

“My government is committed to doubling the economic, social and physical development of the state. Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka,” he read in Hindi. 

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Congress Protests in the House

Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad attempted to persuade the Governor to continue the address near the Assembly gate, but Gehlot declined. The truncated speech triggered sharp reactions from Congress legislators, who raised slogans of “Shame, Shame” inside the House.

The Governor had objected to 11 paragraphs in the draft speech prepared by the Congress-led Karnataka government. The disputed sections reportedly included criticism of the Centre over the introduction of the VB-G RAM G Act.

CM Siddaramaiah Slams Governor’s Action

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly criticised the Governor’s walkout, calling it a breach of constitutional norms. He alleged that the Governor was acting at the behest of the Centre and said the address must reflect the Cabinet’s views, not the Governor’s personal opinion.

“The Governor cannot choose his own speech. Constitutionally, he is required to read what the elected government prepares,” the CM said.

The Karnataka government has convened a special legislative session from January 22 to 31 to deliberate on repealing the MGNREGA and replacing it with the VB-G RAM G Act. Siddaramaiah argued that the earlier law ensured local planning and employment guarantees for marginalised communities, which he claimed would be diluted under the new Act.

Similar Incident Took Place In Tamil Nadu And Kerala   

The Karnataka episode follows similar confrontations in other non-BJP-ruled states. On January 20, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the Assembly, citing inaccuracies in his address. In Kerala, Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar allegedly skipped portions of his speech after his suggestions were not included, according to the Raj Bhavan.

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Together, these incidents mark a series of tensions between governors and state governments over the content and conduct of Assembly addresses.


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