Karnataka governor Gehlot refuses to read full speech in assembly, walks out

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, January 22, 2026: The Karnataka legislature’s opening day was overshadowed by controversy after the Governor concluded his address without reading the full Cabinet-approved speech.

Karnataka witnessed a fresh constitutional and political flashpoint on Thursday as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot cut short his customary address to the joint session of the state legislature at Vidhana Soudha, declining to read the full speech prepared by the elected government and concluding the address after just a few opening lines.

The Governor arrived at Vidhana Soudha amid tight political scrutiny, ending hours of suspense over whether he would address the joint sitting of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.

He was received by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly UT Khader, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil.

However, instead of delivering the complete address outlining the policies and programmes of the government, Gehlot read only the initial lines and abruptly concluded by stating that he was happy to address another joint session, effectively skipping the remaining portions of the speech approved by the Cabinet.

The walkout-like conclusion followed a tense standoff between Raj Bhavan and the state government over the contents of the Governor’s address.

THE DISPUTE OVER THE SPEECH

According to PTI, the government-prepared speech comprised 11 paragraphs that made critical references to the Centre, including issues related to the alleged repeal of MGNREGA under the VB-G RAM (G) Act, devolution of funds, GST-related concerns, delay in drought relief and alleged injustice under the 15th Finance Commission.

The Governor had objected to these paragraphs and sought their deletion.

While the state government agreed late on Wednesday night to remove a couple of sentences critical of the VB-G RAM (G) Act, it refused to drop entire sections, citing constitutional propriety.

WHAT KARNATAKA GOVERNOR HAD SAID YESTERDAY

On Wednesday, Governor Gehlot had refused to deliver the address altogether, triggering a stalemate.

As reported by PTI, he conveyed reservations about the 11 paragraphs and indicated that they should be deleted in full.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil, who led a delegation to meet the Governor, said Gehlot was not agreeable to partial modifications and wanted the contentious portions removed entirely.

Patil had then underlined that Article 176(1) of the Constitution mandates the Governor to address the joint session with the speech prepared by the Cabinet, warning that cutting short or refusing to deliver the address would amount to a “betrayal of the Constitution."

SPEAKER UT KHADER STRIKES CONCILIATORY NOTE

After Thursday’s developments, Speaker UT Khader attempted to play down the confrontation.

“Any issue regarding this will be solved cordially. Discipline will be maintained. I’m sure that everything will run very well," Khader said.

Seeking to project unity between constitutional authorities, he added, “We have full confidence that the government and the Governor are together. There’s no conflict at all. Karnataka will be a model to the country on how to take the Governor and the government forward together."

PRIYANK KHARGE ALLEGES CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS

In sharp contrast, Karnataka Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge launched a strong attack on the Governor, accusing him of violating Articles 176 and 163 of the Constitution.

“Who is creating this conflict? Who is violating Articles 176 and 163?" Kharge asked, asserting that the speech contained only facts already placed in the public domain.

“Not a single line in the speech is a lie or fiction. The Chief Minister has met the Prime Minister and briefed him. A letter has been submitted."

Kharge alleged political bias, questioning whether the Governor’s office was acting independently.

“The Governor is duty-bound to read the speech. Even if one paragraph is a lie, let him not read that. But refusing the entire speech is against his constitutional mandate," he said, adding that the government would place the speech before the public and let people judge its contents.