Karnataka Guv Cuts Short Joint Assembly Session Address, Sparks Protest
Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday wrapped up his customary speech to the joint session of the state legislature after reading just two opening lines. After greeting the members, the governor expressed his pleasure to address the joint session.
“My government is committed to doubling the economic, social and physical development of the state. Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka,” he read in Hindi.
Members of Congress expressed strong displeasure with the Governor’s shortening of his speech and chanted “Shame Shame” in the House.
This brief appearance follows the tense standoff between Lok Bhavan and the Congress-led government; This is the latest in a series of clashes between the Governor and the Government in non-BJP-ruled states.
Earlier, Gehlot was welcomed outside the state secretariat by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly UT Khader, Chairman of the Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti and Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs HK Patil.
Gehlot had refused to address the Karnataka legislative assembly on Wednesday, leading to an impasse over the fate of the traditional speech that outlines the government’s policies.
In the speech prepared by the government, a total of 11 paragraphs, which allegedly made critical references to the central government and its policies, touching on issues such as “abolition” of MGNREGA and transfer of funds, appear to have disturbed the Governor, who wanted them deleted.
A delegation led by Minister Patil had met Gehlot on Wednesday evening amid the impasse. The delegation comprised Solicitor General K Shashi Kiran Shetty and Legal Adviser to CM AS Ponna.
