Bengaluru: A constitutional row erupted in Karnataka on Thursday after Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot declined to read the state government’s prepared address at the joint session of the Legislature and instead delivered a brief, self-written statement before walking out of the House.

Traditionally, the Governor reads the cabinet-approved address at the first joint sitting of the year, marking the start of legislative business. However, Gehlot objected to certain portions of the speech, particularly paragraphs critical of the Centre’s move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the new ‘Viksit Bharat–Rozgar aur Ajeevika Mission (Rural)’ law.

Despite last-minute discussions to avoid a constitutional crisis and the state government agreeing to drop some contentious references, the Governor refused to read the full address. He instead read a two-line speech and left the Assembly premises. As he exited, some Congress MLCs attempted to stop him, while slogans were raised against his conduct.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly criticised the Governor’s action, calling it a violation of constitutional provisions under Articles 176 and 163, which mandate that the Governor deliver the cabinet’s address. He termed the episode an insult to the Legislature and said the government would consider approaching the Supreme Court after consultations.

The Chief Minister alleged that the Governor was acting at the behest of the Centre and was deliberately defending the new law replacing MGNREGA, which the state government strongly opposes. He reiterated that Karnataka would continue its fight to restore MGNREGA and repeal the new legislation, arguing that it weakens rural employment guarantees and undermines decentralised governance.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said 11 paragraphs of the speech had drawn objections from the Governor, despite being approved by the cabinet and already shared with legislators. He said the Governor’s refusal to read the address amounted to a constitutional breach.

Minister Priyank Kharge questioned whether Raj Bhavan had turned into a BJP office, stating that the speech contained factual issues concerning state interests and had already been submitted to the Prime Minister and Union ministers. He argued that if any paragraph was false, the Governor could have flagged it instead of rejecting the entire address.

While Congress leaders described the incident as a “black day for democracy,” Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader downplayed claims of an institutional clash, stating that constitutional authorities function together and that there was no conflict between the Governor and the government.

The episode comes amid similar standoffs between Governors and elected governments in states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal, highlighting growing tensions over the role of Governors in legislative proceedings.