With the governors of neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Kerala making headlines over their customary address in respective state assemblies, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot is likely to join the list soon. Rumours are abuzz that Gehlot has refused to address the joint sitting of the state legislature on January 22, allegedly following differences over statements against the Centre in his speech.
A high-level delegation led by Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil is reportedly set to meet with the governor at Lok Bhavan over the matter. "In the wake of the governor's refusal to address the joint session tomorrow, a high-level delegation led by the law minister will leave for Raj Bhavan," the minister's office said in a statement.
The grounds for the governor's refusal are not clear. However, alleged references to the Centre in the address are said to be the reason, according to sources. The development comes a day after controversies erupted over governors' addresses to the Assemblies in neighboring Kerala and Tamil Nadu, both non-BJP ruled states like Karnataka.
The first session of the Karnataka legislature this year will begin on Thursday, and it is expected to be stormy. Confrontation is expected between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP-JD(S) alliance on a host of issues including the "repeal" of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) by the Centre. The session will conclude on January 31.
Also read
- What was happening in Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao’s viral ‘sleazy’ videos, which got him suspended
- Karnataka DGP 'sleaze' video: Ramachandra Rao's suspension puts spotlight back on Ranya Rao gold smuggling case
- Karnataka DGP Ramachandra Rao suspended after alleged intimate video goes viral
- Viral video scandal rocks Karnataka police; CM Siddaramaiah vows action against senior DGP
The Siddaramaiah government is planning to pass a resolution against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre for repealing the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and demand its restoration by scrapping the new Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act.
The Congress government has reportedly decided not to accept the recently enacted VB-G RAM G Act. Incidentally, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the state assembly without delivering his customary address on the opening day of its inaugural session of the year on Tuesday, allegedly claiming "inaccuracies" in the text. Similarly, Kerala Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar had allegedly "omitted" portions of his speech, with the Lok Bhavan claiming his suggestions had been excluded from the original draft.