After Tamil Nadu and Kerala, governor’s walkout triggers Karnataka showdown; Congress eyes Supreme Court

BENGALURU: Karnataka governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot wrapped up what was to be a 43-page address to the state legislature on Thursday in three lines and walked out before the national anthem was played, making it the third instance in as many days of Raj Bhavan-govt relations in a non-BJP state going south over gubernatorial speeches.

"I am happy to address one more joint session of the Karnataka legislature. My govt is fully committed to doubling the speed of economic, social and physical development of the state. Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka," Gehlot said, wrapping up prematurely to a roar of disapproval from the bewildered Congress benches.




"This is unconstitutional," CM Siddaramaiah said, accusing Gehlot of being "a puppet" of central govt. He announced later that the state was contemplating taking the issue to Supreme Court.

Siddaramaiah said Gehlot not only failed to discharge his constitutional responsibilities but also ignored the speech drafted by govt in violation of Articles 176 and 163 of the Constitution, which mandate the governor's address to the House at the start of a year's first legislative session should reflect the state cabinet's voice.

This year, the Congress govt drafted a 122-paragraph speech, detailing what it describes as "injustice to the state in tax devolution and several central schemes". The draft strongly criticises the Centre for "repealing" MGNREGA. On Wednesday, the governor had said the central scheme had been "technically modified, not repealed".

Gehlot's refusal to read out the speech prepared for opening of the joint session led Congress members to shout "shame...shame" as he str-ode off. Some Congress members, including MLC BK Hariprasad, attempted to heckle the governor before being removed by marshals. BJP members defended the governor, also shouting "Bharat Mata ki jai".

Thursday's episode in Karnataka follows the stand-off involving governors and respective state govts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

On Tuesday, TN governor RN Ravi walked out of the assembly without delivering his address on the opening day of the year's inaugural legislative session, citing "inaccuracies" in the text. In Kerala, governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar allegedly omitted portions of his scheduled address, with Raj Bhavan claiming its suggestions had been excluded from the draft.

BJP legislators accused Congress of misusing the legislature to foster resentment against the Centre, saying the governor's response was the right one. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra demanded action against Congress MLAs and MLCs for allegedly trying to undermine Raj Bhavan's authority. Vijayendra said MGNREGA being replaced with VB-G RAM G mirrored PM Narendra Modi's vision.

The session was adjou-rned without any of the opening day's proceedings being completed. Congress said it would move a privilege motion over the conduct of security staff during the fracas.