Karnataka Governor reads only two lines before walking out over MGNREGA references

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday concluded his customary address to the joint session of the state legislature in Bengaluru after reading only two opening lines , refusing to read the government prepared speech and walking out of the House, triggering sharp protests from ruling Congress members.

After greeting members of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council, the Governor said he was pleased to address the joint session and read out a brief statement in Hindi: “ My government is committed to doubling the economic, social and physical development of the state. Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka. ” He then ended the address and left the House.

Congress legislators strongly objected to the abrupt conclusion of the speech and raised “Shame, shame” slogans on the floor of the House. The brief appearance came amid an ongoing standoff between Lok Bhavan and the Congress led state government, marking the latest in a growing number of confrontations between Governors and elected governments, particularly in states ruled by parties opposed to the BJP led Union government.

Reacting sharply, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil termed the episode a serious blow to democratic norms. “Today is a black day in the history of democracy. A Governor who is supposed to be the guardian of the Constitution has failed to do his duty. He is liable to address the joint session of the Assembly. He has insulted the Constitution . We will take an appropriate decision,” Patil said.

Congress MLA B K Hariprasad said the Governor had no authority to reject a Cabinet approved speech. “The Governor has no business to reject the speech prepared by the Cabinet. The Governor refused to address the joint session of the Assembly and Council. It has become a fashion for the BJP appointed Governors to humiliate the chief ministers ,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Gehlot was received at the steps of the Vidhana Soudha by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah , Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti and Minister Patil.

The impasse began on Wednesday when the Governor declined to deliver the customary address outlining the government’s policies and priorities. The government prepared speech reportedly contained 11 paragraphs that were critical of the central government, touching upon issues such as devolution of funds and the alleged dilution of MGNREGA. These references are said to have irked the Governor, who sought their deletion.

The BJP , however, blamed the disruption on the ruling party. Party leaders claimed that Congress members stormed into the well of the House and heckled the Governor, forcing him to curtail his address.

Political observers noted that disagreements between Governors and state governments have increased in recent years. Karnataka itself has witnessed similar confrontations in the recent past, including instances where the Governor withheld or delayed assent to Bills passed by the Congress led legislature , particularly legislation related to government policy and administration.

Such repeated stand-offs have often led to delays in legislative and administrative processes, with key policy decisions, development initiatives and governance measures remaining pending due to prolonged constitutional and political disagreements between Lok Bhavan and the elected government.

A delegation led by Minister Patil, which included Advocate General K Shashi Kiran Shetty and the Chief Minister’s legal advisor A S Ponna, had met the Governor on Wednesday evening in an attempt to resolve the impasse, but the talks failed to break the deadlock, culminating in Thursday’s truncated address.